Along with the process of integration and development, traditional cultural identities of the Muong ethnic community in general, and Muong ethnic people in Tan Lac district in particular, are at risk of falling into oblivion. Therefore, many clubs have been established in the locality to preserve and promote the beauty of the ethnic group’s cultural identities.
Tan Lac district preserves Muong ethnic group’s cultural identities.
Bui Thi Luyen, head of Muong people’s cultural preservation and
promotion centre in Man Duc township's Muon Phoi residential area, said
previously in daily life and holidays, Muong ethnic people wore traditional
costumes and played gongs around their village with the aim of praying for a
peaceful year, good luck and a bumper crop. However, in modern life,
traditional costumes or gongs are no longer commonly used.
Muong people’s costumes have been adjusted to suit modern fashion trends.
Instead of using brocade fabric with manual embroidery, their costumes have
been made by synthetic fabrics with industrial print patterns. Belts were also
replaced by ready-made items. Not only costumes, the preservation of language
is also a big concern.
Bui Minh Hong, head of the Culture and Information Department of Tan Lac
district, said that currently, many clubs have been established in the district
such as Mo Muong club, and other clubs to preserve Muong language and costumes.
The district has encouraged its localities to continue to replicate the club
model to preserve the language and costume of the Muong 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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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