Muong calendar – National intangible cultural heritage

4/4/2025 - 1:44:35 PM

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.

The bamboo calendar is still preserved and displayed by the Muong community in Mo hamlet, Binh Thanh commune, Cao Phong district, where locals continue to apply its wisdom in their daily lives.

According to Muong legend, the Muong Bi calendar dates back to the era of King Dit Dang, the earliest ruler of the Muong people. It is believed to have first emerged in Muong Bi, an area historically linked to the early days of the Hung Kings’ reign.

As one of Vietnam’s indigenous ethnic groups with a rich history, the Muong people developed their own sophisticated timekeeping system. The Muong Bi calendar is remarkably detailed, dividing time into precise units: a day consists of 16 hours (each Muong hour is roughly equivalent to 1.5 Kinh hours), a month spans 29-30 days structured into three weeks of 10 days each, and a year is divided into 12 months across four quarters.

The calendar deeply influences both Muong society and daily life. However, its application is geographically specific - local proverbs such as "ngay lui thang toi” (days regress, months advance) reflect agricultural traditions unique to Muong Bi and do not necessarily apply to other Muong regions.

Thanks to its historical and cultural significance, the Muong bamboo calendar of Hoa Binh province, alongside the Khai Ha Festival, the Keeng Loong dance of the Thai people, and the Xen Ban Festival in Mai Chau, has been officially recognised as National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Beyond the calendar, the Muong people boast a rich cultural legacy, including the iconic Muong drums, gongs, script, and traditional villages. These elements not only preserve the unique identity of the Muong community but also attract researchers, archaeologists, and folklore enthusiasts, as well as visitors eager to experience Hoa Binh’s vibrant cultural heritage.

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