(HBO) – The Khai ha (going down to the field) festival at Dinh Ngoi – a communal house in Quynh Lam ward, Hoa Binh city – opened on January 30 or the 9th day of the first month of the lunar year.
The procession of Via Lua (the Spirit of Rice) to
Dinh Ngoi opens the festival.
Dinh Ngoi is where several gods are worshipped including Tan
Vien Son Thanh – one of The Four Immortals in traditional Vietnamese mythology,
and those guarding the village against disasters and bringing it fortune.
The festival, taking place on the 8th and 9th days of the
lunar year annually, aims at paying respect to the gods and ancestors who
contributed to the protection and development of the land as well as at praying
for a new year of favourable weather, bumper harvest, and peaceful life.
It is often held solemnly with a host of rituals, including
the processions of the Spirit of Water and the Spirit of Rice, and an incense
offering ceremony. The event also features musical exchanges, gong
performances, culinary delights of the Muong ethnic community, sport
competitions, and folk games.
The organisation of the annual celebration is intended to
conserve local cultural and historical values, educate the younger generation
on these traditions, and to introduce the local beliefs to visitors./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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