Mo Muong on journey to becoming intangible cultural heritage of humanity: Part 3

Mo Muong on journey to becoming intangible cultural heritage of humanity: Part 3 - Motivation for Mo Muong to "take off"

5/30/2024 - 2:31:58 PM

In an effort to preserve and promote the unique cultural values of Mo Muong, the northern province of Hoa Binh is charting a course to compile a scientific dossier seeking UNESCO recognition for Mo Muong as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Artisan Bui Van Rum from Rom Co hamlet, Thuong Coc commune, Lac Son district, proudly joins the building of the national dossier for Mo Muong.

Despite effective measures by the province, Mo Muong cultural practices face numerous challenges as globalisation, especially its cultural aspects, has introduced strong foreign influences. This has resulted in the simplification of Mo songs used in funerals. Over the time, the number of Mo Muong artisans is dwindling, with many aging. According to the latest statistics from the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there are 212 Mo Muong artisans in the locality, almost all of them old. Without timely training of a new generation, the situation will worsen.

To address these challenges and achieve UNESCO recognition, the Hoa Binh People's Committee has collaborated with the provinces of Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, Thanh Hoa, and Dak Lak, and Hanoi city. This collaboration aims to develop a comprehensive national dossier for Mo Muong's inclusion in the UNESCO list.

Concrete steps have already been taken. A steering committee and a dedicated dossier preparation committee have been established in Hoa Binh. The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism partnered with the Vietnam National Academy of Music for a local seminar on Mo Muong. Additionally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the provincial committee, organised domestic seminars and international conferences that attracted leading scholars, literature and art experts, and UNESCO intangible cultural heritage specialists.

The Institute of Music played a crucial role by collecting, audio recording, and filming Mo Muong cultural practices. They are also responsible for crafting scientific records and finalising documentary films on this unique heritage.

On March 29, the Government Office issued a document reflecting the Deputy Prime Minister's endorsement for submitting the "Mo Muong" dossier to UNESCO. This endorsement proposes the inclusion of Mo Muong intangible cultural heritage practices from Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, and Dak Lak, and Hanoi City in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Hoa Binh rolls out concerted measures to promote population affairs

Hoa Binh province has shown strong performance in family planning by effectively implementing directions and plans in the field, including Directive No. 12/CT-UBND issued by the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee on August 4, 2021 on rolling out measures to maintain the policy of each couple having two children, which is stated in community rules and the regulations of agencies, organisations, and units across the province of Hoa Binh for the 2021 – 2025 period.

Conference set key tasks for culture, sports and tourism sector

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a hybrid conference on December 18 to review the culture, sport, and tourism sector’s performance in 2024 and launch key tasks for 2025. Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Bui Duc Hinh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Chuong and officials from local departments and sectors also took part in the event.

Spreading the value of “The Sacred Objects of Muong land”

Hoa Binh showcases traditional Muong ethnic costumes

Hoa Binh’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 18, hosted a conference to present the outcomes of a research study on the traditional costumes of the Muong ethnic group.

Lac Son district works hard on preserving, promoting culture identity of Muong people

Along with the activities of Project 6 - the national target programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas for the 2021 – 2026 period, efforts to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in Lac Son district have received additional momentum.

Hoa Binh youths move to preserve national cultural identity

In the context of globalisation and deeper integration, preserving and promoting the national cultural identity is of utmost importance. Aware of their pioneering and proactive role on all fronts, over the years, the youth organisations at all levels in Hoa Binh province have implemented various concrete and practical activities to preserve and promote the cultural identities of ethnic groups in the locality.