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(HBO) - The Boarding High School & Secondary School for the ethnic minorities in Cao Phong district collaborated with the District’s Department of Culture and Sports to hold the opening ceremony of the class teaching Muong gongs for 50 students of the school and to launch the club of "Preserving Muong Thang cultural identity”.
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The artisans have been teaching the students of Cao Phong District's
Boarding High School & Secondary School the skills of listening -
perceiving the gong sound, how to hold the gong, beat the gong, and divide the
rhythm...
The organization of the class
teaching Muong gongs is in the Plan No. 419/KH-VHTT dated on October 7, 2022 of
the Division of Culture and Information of Cao Phong district on the
implementation of Project 6 "Preserving and promoting the good traditional
cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development” under
the National Target Program for the Socio-Economic Development in the areas of
the ethnic minorities and the mountainous ones.
According to the principal of Cao
Phong District’s Boarding Secondary and High School for the Ethnic Minorities,
Mr. Tran Quang Tuan, through the classroom, under the guidance of the artisans,
it aims to raise the awareness about conservation and promotion of the value of
the typical intangible cultural heritage of Muong ethnic groups; teaching the
basic skills of the performing arts of the Muong Gong for the students so that
the can apply in the grassroots cultural activities with high results. At the
same time, it helps the students to understand the history and some
characteristics of the intangible cultural heritage of Muong gongs in Hoa Binh;
knowing how to distinguish between Muong gong tunes and other types of gong
culture. On the other hand, the class also teaches the skills of listening -
perceiving the gong sound, how to hold the gong, beat the gong, phrasing, sound
insulation... According to the plan, the class is held in 10 sessions.
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
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