(HBO) - An art programme, themed "Awakening Muong Gongs" and performed by the Hoa Binh art troupe, has won a gold and a silver medal at the 2023 national solo and ensemble ethnic musical instruments competition.
The performance of the provincial art troupe at the
2023 national solo and ensemble ethnic musical instruments competition.
The 30-minute programme entailed carefully prepared
performances of Muong gongs and flutes, leaving a strong impression on the audiences.
People’s Artist Huynh Tu said: "Running this programme was a
fortunate experience for me. I have a profound impression of culture in Hoa
Binh. My team and I chose to build the programme mainly based on the gong
culture. Its title and opening performance, both titled ‘Awakening Muong
Gongs,’ aim to present the authentic colours of Hoa Binh at the competition.”
Singer Vu Thuy Lien noted participating singers had to join
the band to show the audience the artistry, movements and rhythms of the works staged.
People’s Artist Hong Tam said joining the competition is a
pride for all artists, musicians, and actors of the troupe. It is also a source
of pride for her to bring the melodies of gongs from Hoa Binh to the audience
and music lovers from across the country. "Hopefully, our programme will
introduce Hoa Binh's culture and the soul of the Muong land to people
nationwide,” she said delightedly.
Bach Cong Thi, head of the provincial art troupe, said the
programme deeply explores the art of the Muong musical performance, with the
gongs as the main focus. In Muong music, the gongs hold a significant position,
widely used in daily life and religious rituals. Along with the instrument, the
melodies of Muong music are also expressed through other instruments such as
flutes, two-string fiddles, and sixteen-string zithers. "Our creative team has
built a programme that truly represents the cultural identity of Hoa Binh,” he
said./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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