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Nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Nguyen Van Viet, Director of the Centre for Prehistoric Southeast Asian Studies, discovered worn movement vestiges in the south of the entrance of the Trai hamlet cave in Tan Lap commune of Lac Son district. At that time, those vestiges, dating back 8,000 - 9,000 years, were 60 - 70cm underground and almost intact.
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Dr.
Nguyen Van Viet, Director of the Centre for Prehistoric Southeast Asian
Studies, talks to the media about new discoveries of the Hoa Binh Civilisation
at the Trai hamlet cave.
Trai hamlet is located in the former Muong Vang
area, which is now the communes of Quy Hoa, Tan Lap, and Nhan Nghia. The Trai
hamlet cave is situated in a vast valley where wet rice is cultivated and
limestone mountains surround.
Notably, many vestiges of primitive humans have
been found here. In 1980, during a fact-finding trip to prepare for map
drawing, a geological team discovered many traces of the primitive civilisation
at the cave and collected 108 stone objects and some animal bone pieces.
The elderly residing in the centre of the Muong
Vang area said Trai hamlet used to be a thick forest where primitive humans
survived on foraging nuts and hunting wild animals.
Six deep and large worn vestiges were discovered
in the Hoa Binh Civilisation layer. Compared to previously found vestiges, they
were more worn, indicating that this cave used to be a living place of
primitive humans.
Inside the Trai hamlet cave, apart from stone,
bone, horn and ceramic objects, archaeologists also collected a relatively
large number of mollusc shell and plant traces. The rice grains and husks
discovered in the Hoa Binh Civilisation layer there could be material evidence
of the early-stage wet rice cultivation during the civilisation.
In particular, scientists also found a grave in
a stratum dating back more than 17,000 years, along with some stoves. At
present, archaeologists haven’t been able to completely decode all the
mysteries kept at the Trai hamlet cave.
In late 2014, Viet, one of the founders of a
club of friends of those loving the Hoa Binh civilisation, called for donations
from the philanthropists wishing to preserve national heritage to help address
rockslides and repair a pagoda damaged by fallen rocks with the hope that this
place will become one of the destinations for people interested in this civilisation.
Coming here, visitors can learn more about the
life of primitive humans of the Hoa Binh civilisation. They can also gain an
insight into the culture of the Muong ethnic group and enjoy the beautiful
landscape of the Muong Vang valley, one of the four large Muong ethnic areas in
Hoa Binh 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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