(HBO) – Visiting Muong Vang land of Lac Son district at the beginning of the Lunar New Year, tourists will have a chance to experience festive atmosphere there, thus getting insights into the cultural identity of the locality.
Quoc Mau Hoang Ba (the title of a mother goddess) procession in the Khoi Communal House’s festival.
The festival of Khoi Communal House in An Nghia commune kick-started the spring festival season 2023 in Lac Son district.
The festival took place on January 26-27 (the 5th and 6th day of the first lunar month) with worshipping rituals and festive activities such as art performance, Muong gong performance, and many unique folk games of the Muong ethnic group.
On the occasion, the Khoi communal house was granted the province-level historical cultural relic certificate.
Meanwhile, the festival of Coi communal house in Vu Binh commune was held on January 28-29. Crowds of visitors flocked to this province-level historical cultural relic to join festive activities imbued with traditional cultural imprints of the locality.
Truong Thi Minh Thu, a visitor from Hanoi, said joining the festival helps her understand more about the traditional culture value of the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh.
According to statistics, Lac Son has 23 archaeological relics, cultural and historical relics. Khoi communal house in An Nghia commune, Coi communal house in Vu Binh commune, Thuong and Cay Da temples in Vu Ban town, and Bang temple in Ngoc Lau commune are associated with festivals imbued with religious values, becoming attractive destinations for visitors who are interested in culture and beliefs.
Many other festivals were also held in the first lunar month, including the Muong gong festival and the festival of Khenh communal house in Van Son district.
Head of the Culture and Information Office of Lac Son district Nguyen The Hung said besides the unique Muong culture, historical and cultural relics, and spiritual beliefs in the locality have also attracted tourists.
In recent years, the local authorities have paid special attention to upgrading and preserving historical and cultural relics, and places of worship to serve tourism development. Festive activities have contributed to preserving the cultural identity of all ethnic groups in the province./.
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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