(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./.
In the evening of March 28th, in Hoa Binh, the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city to organize a mobile propaganda contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7th, 1954 - May 7th, 2024) with the theme "Returning to Dien Bien”. There ứa the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the representatives of the leaders from a number of departments, branches and numerous veterans and Hoa Binh people.
In responding to the movement of "All people stay united to build cultural lifestyle”, over the years, Kim Boi district has conducted many practical and effective activities to promote solidarity and mutual support among the local community in sustainable poverty reduction and building cultural lifestyle and a healthy cultural environment, and maintaining national cultural identity.
Hoa Binh Pedagogical College has just held the closing ceremony of the training class and issued the certificate of the language of Muong ethnic people to the oficials, civil servants and public employees of courses I and II in 2023.
Hoa Binh is an ancient land home to limestone mountains running along the southeast direction and in parallel with Truong Son Mountain Range in the West, forming many basins and valleys with a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Humans came to reside here in the pre-historic period, creating the world-famous Hoa Binh Civilisation.
The Dao ethnic minority group in Hoa Binh province has preserved many unique cultural identities, especially rituals and belief. In particular, Nhay (dance) festival is the most important ritual with a long history, vividly reflecting the religious life of the local Dao people.
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