A monument management centre in the central province of Ha Tinh has announced the discovery of an old pottery disk that depicts the Kieu sisters, the characters in the famed Tale of Kieu poem epic.
The pottery disk depicting the Kieu
sisters was found in Nghe An (Photo: sggp.vn)
Ho Bach Khoa, head manager at the
centre designated for the Tale of Kieu’s author Nguyen Du, said on August 23
that his centre got the disk from antique collectors in neighbouring Nghe An
province.
Khoa believed that the disk was produced in the 1940s by pottery makers in the
southern region of Vietnam.
The disk is 17cm in diametre and in good condition. The white disk is decorated
with a blue coloured painting depicting a scene from the Tale of Kieu, in which
the Kieu sisters are walking and enjoying the spring when they meet the
horse-riding Kim Trong character.
Khoa said the scenes in the Tale of Kieu were rarely depicted on pottery
produced in the southern region, so the disk is a rare item. Khoa said the
centre is showcasing the disk for researchers and the public.
Nguyen Du (1765-1820) was a mandarin and a gifted poet of Vietnam in the
imperial time. His epic poem - the Tale of Kieu is considered one of the
greatest poetic works of the country.
Source: VNA
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.
Authorities and residents of Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, are making efforts to preserve and promote the historical value of a centuries-old gold apple tree (scientifically known as diospyros decandra lour), which has been recognised as a national heritage tree.
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