On February 15th (Lunar January 6th), Phu Lai commune, Yen Thuy district held the opening ceremony of the festival of Xam Xuan communal house during the Dragon Spring in 2024.
The palanquin procession at
the festival of Xam communal house in Phu Lai commune, Yen Thuy district.
Xam Communal House was
recognized as a provincial historical relic in 2003. The communal house was
built in the 5th year of Thieu Tri (1845), worshiping the Tutelary God as a
human god, the local people's customary name is Bui Van Khu (i.e. Do Khu). with
his wife, the Princess Thien Tinh. Currently, Xam communal house still preserves
11 ordained identities.
Xam communal house festival
takes place for 3 days, from February 15th – 18th (i.e.
Lunar January 6th – 8th). The festival consists of 2
parts: the ceremony part and the festival part. The ceremony includes the rice
contest procession, the palanquin procession and the opening of the festival;
The festival part includes the cultural and arts activities, and sports
competitions.
In 2013, Xam communal house
was built, renovated, embellished, and restored with a total cost of 11 billion
VND. The communal house is not only a place to worship the Tutelary God, the
village deity, but it is also a center of cultural activities associated with a
community of the residents characterized by Vietnamese wet rice civilization.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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