(HBO) - At the end of the winding road of the village is the home of Mr. Bui Van Eu, Lam village, Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district. Having known about Doi singing at the age of 13, up to now, he is 67 years old and always trying to preserve the ancient cultural values of the Doi singing.
Mr. Bui Van Eu passionately practicing with
his favorite musical instrument.
Mr. Eu has known about Doi singing since he
was 13 years old; he knew how to play musical instrument at the age of 16. He
was very passionate about singing in his childhood. At first, he just liked
going to the theater and watching the singing performances. The more he watched
Doi singing, the more passionate and interested he became. Finally, he decided
to study singing from previous generations. Since then, he gained a better
understanding of the role of Doi singing in spiritual life and he had a desire
to store and preserve the integrity of its traditional cultural values.
At present, he continues to teach the younger
generations. His free ethnic musical instrument class includes nine people aged
from 20-40. These learners were all in the village, and he discovered their
musical talents. It was called as a class, but actually, only those who are
passionate focused on his house and he guides what he knows. The class had no
books and no lesson plans, all the rhythms and performances were recorded
deeply in his memory.
From the day he knew Doi singing, remembering
the most memorable memories, Mr. Eu exclaimed enthusiastically: "When I
was young, still single, I often participated in the Doi singing competition in
the village and commune. Once I sang in a competition with a girl in My Hoa for
3 nights with all the subjects required by the judges but could not defeated,
at last I got lost because she was extremely talented. When we started singing,
we were so far from each other.We sang until we got close to each other,
standing in front of each other, and then I found out that the girl hid a
notebook recording the lyrics at her back. For many years, I really want to see
her again for a Doi singing competition but unfortunately, she passed away.”
Mr. Eu
used to be the person who hit three gongs in the opening of Muong Bi Festival;
to be a judge at the Doi singing contests and the ethnic musical instrument
contest in the opening of the Festival; participating in culture and art of
ethnic minorities in the northern mountainous provinces and performing arts
exchange in the commune and district.
In the near future, he hopes to open singing
classes for the people in the village. These open-door classes welcome Doi
singing lovers and expect to learn about the ethnic music.
"I was discussing with the Commune
Farmers Association, I would like to open another class next month, I need to
teach the next generation what I know, if not, it might be faded by time. I
hope that Doi singing will attract more and more people to love and learn
especially young people. If we together protect and preserve, I believe we will
do, "- Mr. Eu said.
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
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.
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