(HBO) - Muong ethnic group’s traditional wrestling is both an unique traditional folk game and a sport for youths. Every New Year when spring comes, Muong traditional wrestling is revived at festivals, apart from fun sports such as crossbow shooting, tug of war, stick pushing and volleyball.
Muong traditional
wrestling at 2020 Khoi communal house festival in An Nghia commune, Lac Son
district.
Muong traditional wrestling has existed for
thousands years. In the past, locals competed in wrestling matches, not only
during spring festivals. During the opening of the 2020 Khoi communal house
festival in An Nghia commune, Lac Son dsitrict, the revival of Muong
traditional wrestling was welcomed by the public.
Meritorious Artisan Bui Huy Vong from Huong
Nhuong commune, Lac Son district said traditional wrestling was an official
sport at the district sports festival in 2017. It is not only a folk game but
also a religious ritual during festivals. The game is quite simple, only
requiring a few movements to play. But to play well, experience and techniques
are needed to win rivals. Also according to him, the game is the most popular
in former Lien Vu commune (now Vu Ban township).
In Muong Khenh area, Van Son commune, Lac Son
district, a temple (now already demolished) was dedicated to Chuong Tin and
Trieu An (legend has it that they were generals of Trieu Thi Trinh) – who led
the people against the Wu enemy. According to the legend, apart from training
soldiers in crossbow shooting, they also included Muong wrestling into a
compulsory training session each day for soldiers. Every three years, on the
full moon day of the second lunar month, the Muong people hold a big festival.
Traditional wrestling and crossbow shooting have become religious rituals to
remember Chuong Tin and Trieu An who trained soldiers in the past.
This game is usually held on flat grounds or
clean sandy beaches, without any sticks or gravels to ensure the safety of
wrestlers. Only two opponents join each round. When entering the match, both
must absolutely obey the referee's instructions. The winner will be promoted to
the next round, while the loser will be out of the game.
Muong traditional wrestling is quite diverse in
style and trick, but there are some basic steps such as preparation, also known
as "catching" (hugging), during which the two wrestlers step to face,
with straight back and chest rubbing close together, and then hand out hugging
behind the opponents’ belts on the principle of inside and outside hands. This
step requires straight back naturally, feet placed in parallel with the
opponent's on the principle inside and outside legs. When the two sides do not
break the rules of catching, the referee will order them to compete.Whoever
falls to the ground or is dropped to the ground is defeated. The rules seem to
be simple, but the way to play the game makes it hard for the opponent to use
bad tricks or fraud.
Nowadays, many modern sports have gradually
replaced Muong traditional wrestling. In the coming time, the provincial
Culture, Sports and Tourism Department is expected to pay more attention to
preserving and upholding traditional cultural values of the nation, including
Muong traditional wrestling./.
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)
