(HBO) - For more than two years, Muong Khoi folk singing club in Bai hamlet of An Nghia commune (Lac Son) has regularly organised singing during festivals, full-moon days or simply in meetings of its members.
A
meeting of the Muong Khoi folk singing club in An Nghia commune (Lac Son).
Bui Van Chinh, head of the club, said that the
club has 17 members. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the club was very active, as
its members often met and sang together on normal days, along with local
festivals. In addition, the club also organised exchanges with Muong folk
singing clubs in the district and Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh provinces. Due to the
complicated developments of the pandemic, large gatherings are banned, so the
club members meet in small groups to maintain practice. Besides the Muong Khoi
folk singing club, Lac Son district also sees dozens of other clubs with
hundreds of members.
Thanks to the Resolution of the fifth plenum of
the eighth Party Central Committee (Session VIII) on preserving and promoting
national cultural identities, Muong folk singing has received more and more
attention, becoming a highlight in festivals, contests and mass art shows.
Many artisans who are dedicated to the ancient
Muong folk songs have collected, recorded, and posted videos on Youtube
channel. The most typical is artisan Bui Huy Vong in Huong Nhuong commune.
Artisan Vong said that each type of performance
has its own strengths. Today, going around the district’s villages, hamlets,
and fields, people can hear Muong folk singing on TVs, smart phones and radios.
Some families have invited artisans to sing at weddings, tomb-sweeping
festival, and housewarming parties. This proves that the love for Muong folk
singing is still very deep among local people. Muong people-living areas in
Thanh Hoa province are also excited when they invite Lac Son district’s Muong
folk singing clubs to exchange.
With regular activities, Muong folk singing
clubs are gradually bringing folk songs back to people's daily lives. These
models have also made an important contribution to the preservation and
development of folk songs, folk dances and the unique cultural identity of the
Muong ethnic community in Hoa Binh province.
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.
Hoa Binh is home to two types of Dong Son drums: Heger I and Heger II. These drums date back from the 4th century BC to the 5th century AD.
Mo is a term referring to a profession and cultural heritage which integrates folk beliefs with folk culture and arts. Practiced at funerals and religious rituals by the Muong ethnic people, it aims to provide spiritual comfort during significant life events such as illness and death.
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