(HBO) - In the early spring, the weather was cold and mountains and forests in the northwest were covered by dim mist. We visited Hang Kia and Pa Co communes in the mountainous district of Mai Chau. Together with local people and tourists, we were immersed in the festive atmosphere of Gau Tao – a cultural symbol of the Mong ethnic group. In Mong ethnic language, Gau Tao means travelling to sacred mountain in spring to pray for blessings.
Neu tree planting ceremony - special ritual of Gau Tao festival
Neu tree during the Gau Tao festival bears the symbol of a sacred tree linking
heaven with earth, praying for the birth of children and bumper harvest. For
long when spring arrives, the Mong people often erect neu trees, considering it
a sacred symbol to avoid bad luck and bring good luck for the New Year.
According to the legend, neu tree is erected with the purpose of preventing
devils from the East Sea from entering the mainland. However, over time, the
meaning of planting neu trees during New Year and spring days has been further
spread.
During the festival, the tree is a highlight, connecting the public. Once neu
tree is erected, all activities stop, creating an absolute balance between the
old and new years. People have fun activities and ignore sorrows of the old
year. When the tree is erected, the shaman will do worship rituals under the
tree canopy to pray for good health, well-being and bumper harvest.
The Gao Tau festival has long been considered a cultural symbol of the Mong
ethnic people. It was added to the list of national intangible cultural
heritages in December 2012 by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In
2017, for the first time, the provincial People's Committee decided to re-stage
Gau Tao festival. The Gau Tao festival of the Mong ethnic group in Pa Co
commune, Mai Chau district in 2017 was held at a stadium in Xa Linh hamlet, Pa
Co commune.
Mua A Ky from Xa Linh 1 village, Pa Co commune, over 60, was very excited to
join the festival. He said Gau Tao festival is a traditional cultural and
religious activity of the Mong people.
joining Gau Tao festival, visitors could join in a number of cultural, art and
sport activities such as Khen (pan-pipe) dancing performance in Pa Co and Hang
Kia communes. Traditional food and outstanding agro-forestry products imbued
with Mong ethnic characteristics were also introduced to visitors. Among
highlights were also the crafting of knifes and the making of traditional rice
cakes.
Following the success of Gau Tao festival 2017 in Pa Co commune, the event was
held in Hang Kia commune this year.
Gau Tao festival held in Pa Co and Hang Kia communes not only contribute to
preserving and upholding traditional cultural values of the Mong ethnic group
and popularising historic and cultural values, and typical tourist products of
Hoa Binh in general and Mai Chau district in particular./.
People of the Muong ethnic group have been residing in Hoa Binh province throughout history. Hoa Binh province is a land of indigenous Muong ethnic people. Over the time, the Muong ethnic group has created and preserved a rich and diverse folk culture, in which there is a prominent and unique genre with profound humanistic values - the Mo Muong. Mo Muong has helped to form and nurture the character and soul of the Muong people as well as the land of Hoa Binh.
On November 6, the residential area, Nam Thai hamlet, Doan Ket commune (Yen Thuy) organized the Great National Solidarity Festival and celebrated the 94th anniversary of the traditional day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930 - November 18, 2024). There was the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Tien Sinh, the Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission, and the leaders of the appropriate departments and branches of the province and Yen Thuy district.
The authorities and community in Yen Thuy district are dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of ethnic groups in the locality. Yen Thuy is home to seven ethnic groups, with the Muong making up over 69% of the population.
A great national solidarity festival was held in Ngai hamlet, Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district, on November 8. Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province Bui Van Khanh, and Colonel Trinh Duc Thiem, Commander of the provincial Military Command, attended the event.
