Additional 14 people in the northern province of Phu Tho have been presented with the "Xoan singing artisan” title in recognition of their contributions to preserving and promoting the value of the UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage.
Phu Tho has additional 14 Xoan singing artisans (Source:
phutho.gov.vn)
Speaking at a ceremony on November 23, Vice Chairman of the
provincial People’s Committee Ho Dai Dung said that the 14 newly-recognised
artisans are prestigious and expert in the musical art.
To date, Phu Tho has 66 Xoan singing artisans recognised by the State,
including 20 Meritorious Artists.
Closely linked to the worship of Hung Kings, Xoan singing is a religious
practice rooted in the ancestor worship of the Vietnamese people. It is
traditionally performed during the first two months of the lunar calendar in
holy places such as temples, sanctuaries and communal houses.
There are three forms of Xoan singing: worship singing for the Hung kings and
village guardian spirits; ritual singing for good crops, health and luck, and
festival singing where villagers alternate male and female voices in a form of
courtship.
The Vietnamese musical tradition was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible
Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2011 due to declining
appreciation of this tradition, notably among young people.
The performing art was transferred to the Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2017 in recognition of efforts by the
local communities and the national authorities to reinforce the viability of
Xoan singing.
Phu Tho now has 34 Xoan singing clubs with 1,557 members.
Source: VNA
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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