Born and raised in Lieu hamlet, Ngoc Luong commune, Yen Thuy district - a village rich in cultural tradition, from an early age Mr. Quach Cong Son was immersed in Cheo singing melodies. Therefore, although life is still difficult and difficult, Mr. Son is aware of the need to preserve the unique cultural values of his homeland. The passion for folk melodies continues to grow in his soul.
Mr. Quach Cong Son is guiding the members of Ngoc Luong Cheo singing club (Yen Thuy) to practice.
Introduced to the area in the 70s of the last century, Cheo singing has become an indispensable spiritual dish of the people in Yen Thuy district. To preserve and develop the art of Cheo in the locality, Mr. Son sought out the elders in the village and commune to restore.
and establish the "Ngoc Luong Cheo Club”, whose members are not only the people in the commune, but they are also in the other communes in the district inside and outside the province. He recorded each ancient Cheo singing for the club members to practice. In addition, he actively composed, arranged, and directed Cheo plays to participate in competitions, festivals at the levels of the district and province.
Mr. Quach Cong Son, the Chairman of Ngoc Luong Cheo Club says: "I am often invited by the government to be a director for Cheo performances to participate in competitions and fesstivals the levels of the district and province. Every time we participate there are also prizes. Ngoc Luong Cheo Club was also able to perform at the Central Government. This shows that the quality of the club's activities is increasingly improving, winning the love of the audience.”
The early days of establishing the club met many difficulties. Mr. Son had to travel everywhere in the commune, the district, and even outside the province to mobilize members to join the club. At that time, there weren't many people who knew how to sing Cheo, and there were even fewer people who knew how to play traditional musical instruments. After gathering a full team and being able to practice Cheo singing, the club encountered the difficulties due to not having a place to practice. Mr. Son discussed with his family to build and renovate his house into a cultural space, it was not only a place for the club to practice but it was also a place where folk music exchanges organized by Cheo club regularly took place.
Meeting Mr. Dang Duy Thien from Yen Tri commune (Yen Thuy), a member of Ngoc Luong Cheo club says: "With the passion for Cheo singing combined with the enthusiasm of the club leader, Mr. Quach Cong Son, convinced and motivated us to join the club. We have been participating in the club for nearly 5 years. We hope that Mr. Son will continue to develop his love for Cheo singing even more and develop Ngoc Luong Cheo Club to develop.”
More than 20 years of working in the job of "having meals at home, carrying social work” is a long time for Mr. Son to devote all his heart to the art of Cheo. Therefore, the reputation of Ngoc Luong Cheo Club is not limited to the district, in the province, but it has also been performing at the Central level. Thanks to long-term maintenance and the enthusiasm of the club members as well as Mr. Son personally, the singing of Cheo club is increasingly flying higher and farther.
Everything Mr. Quach Cong Son does to preserve Cheo singing is voluntary. He has the right to be proud of being the person who has contributed to preserving and developing the art of Cheo in Yen Thuy district. Currently, his greatest wish is that all levels and branches pay attention and support to continue maintaining Ngoc Luong Cheo Club, developing the art of Cheo, so that Cheo singing live forever in the hearts of the people.
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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