(HBO)- On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the world recognition of the "Hoa Binh Culture”, Hoa Binh province will organise numerous activities to popularise and honour the unique archaeological values of the world-renowned Stone Age culture in the province. Hoa Binh Online reporters had a talk with Buil Ngoc Lam, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and head of the organising board for commemoration activities.
Provincial museum staff arrange artefacts for an exhibition on the
occasion of the 85th anniversary of world recognition of "Hoa Binh
Culture”
Reporter: Could you give a general introduction about the "Hoa Binh
Culture”?
Mr. Bui Ngoc Lam: The term "Hoa Binh Culture” is used with two
meanings, one of which is the culture of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh, and the
other is the archaeological culture.
Here we are talking
about the archaeological culture which dates back to the Stone Age, from
3,500-7,000 years ago.
The Hoa Binh Culture
was first discovered and studied by French woman archaeologist Madeleine Colani
in the years from 1926-1931. She also coined the term Hoa Binh Culture. In
1932, at the first conference on the prehistory in the Far East held in Hanoi,
world archaeologists agreed to adopt this term.
However, the Hoa Binh
Culture existed not only in Vietnam. In fact, it covered a large area in
Southeast Asia, but Vietnam was the place with the most relics of the culture,
so many foreign scientists considered the country as the birthplace of Hoa Binh
Culture. In Vietnam, Hoa Binh province is the place where the first relic of
Hoa Binh Culture was found, and it is also home to the most relics discovered
so far, that is why the province’s name was used to call the culture.
Reporter: On the 85th anniversary of world recognition of "Hoa Binh
Culture”, the province will organise many commemorative activities. Could you
please tell us about the meaning and significance of the anniversary?
Mr. Bui Ngoc Lam: Among commemorative events there will be an
exhibition on the Hoa Binh Culture, which will last through December. The
provincial library will host a display of books on the Hoa Binh archaeological
culture and the cultures of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province. At the
provincial cultural palace, there will be a display of photos selected during
the Hoa Binh tourism photo contest in
2017. A scientific seminar on Hoa Binh Culture
will also be held here, along with an art performance and a demonstration of Mo
Muong.
Activities to celebrate
the 85th anniversary of world recognition of "Hoa Binh Culture” are
intended to popularise and honour the unique archaeological values of the
world-renowned Stone Age culture in Hoa Binh; honour the great contributions of
the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani who discovered and named the culture.
The activities also aim to foster the pride about the ethnic groups in the
province – the cradle of the Hoa Binh Culture and one of the cradles of human
kinds’ civilisation, and teach young generations about the local traditions.
Reporter: Thank you very much.
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.
.jpg)
