(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./.
Once a vibrant part of the daily life for the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh province, traditional Muong singing styles such as "thuong rang bo meng” and "hat dup giao duyen” had faded over time. Today, local authorities and communities are working to restore and celebrate this cultural art form, recognising its value in preserving the group’s heritage.
Gau Tao Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals of the Mong ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district was held at the Pa Co stadium in Pa Co commune on January 11.
The ancient stone engravings dating back thousands of years in Suoi Co valley in My Thanh commune, Lac Son district, used to astonished domestic archaeologists. What their meaning is and what message they convey are the questions to which scientists are seeking answers.
Preserving and promoting unique cultural identities of ethnic communities in Hoa Binh province is considered a crucial task amid in the international integration trend.
More than just a cultural and historical attraction, the Muong Cultural Heritage Museum is playing a vital role in fostering sustainable tourism in the Northwestern region of Vietnam, particularly in Hoa Binh province. It stands as a model for the emerging trend of "responsible tourism," cleverly blending the preservation of cultural heritage with community economic development, raising awareness of Muong ethnic cultural values while promoting green tourism and sustainable growth.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 24 organised a conference to report on the results of collecting, researching, restoring, and preserving "Bi doi”, a musical instrument of the airophonic family and a traditional instrument of the Muong ethnic people in Da Bac district.
.jpg)
.jpg)
