(HBO) - The gongs in Muong land resounded, delighting thousands of people present at the stadium of Tan Lac district’s Phong Phu commune on the morning of the eighth day of the first lunar month. The Muong gong performance by 500 artisans and actists from four major Muong regions of Bi, Vang, Thang and Dong was the highlight in the art programme to celebrate the Khai ha (going down to the field) festival of the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh province in 2023.
Artists in Phu Cuong
commune (Tan Lac) practice before entering the official competitions at Khai ha
(going down to the field) festival in 2023.
This year, the most important traditional festival, a
national intangible cultural heritage, of the Muong people in Hoa Binh was held
at the provincial level for the first time, attracting the participation of all
the four Muong regions. Many activities were held in honour of the unique
values of the Muong ethnic culture in general, and the group’s traditional
music in particular.
According to meritorious artist Bui Ngoc Thuan in Thu Phong
commune (Cao Phong), through the traditional musical genres, the soul of the
Muong ethnic group is expressed intact in contemporary life. like other Muong
regions, Muong Thang, his hometown, in recent years has actively preserved the
ethnic cultural identity with the determination to maintain and promote
traditional cultural values. Through many practical activities such as cultural
and artistic exchanges, organisation of inter-generational clubs, he said he
was pleased to see that the soul of the Muong ethnic culture has been preserved
and honoured. That is the solid spiritual foundation for generations of Hoa
Binh people to continue to build a new cultural life in their beautiful
homeland.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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