(HBO) – Keeng Loong dance is an integral part of the life of Thai people in the northern mountainous district of Mai Chau, which is performed in festivals like new rice festival, Xen ban, Cha chieng and Lunar New Year festival.
Keeng Loong dance – a special cultural identity
of the Thai group in Mai Chau district.
"Loong” is a pestle made from good timber to
create big sounds. Large, straight trees are selected and cut into pieces whose
sizes are decided by artisans. Keeng Loong has its origin in the daily life of
Thai people in Mai Chau. For Thai women, rice pounding is their daily job,
during which they often create pleasant sounds with the pestles that would help
to dispel sadness and worries. Over time, it has gradually become an art
performed during festivals, including new rice festival and wedding. Combined
with gongs, drums and bamboo sticks, it forms a joyful atmosphere. The number
of Keeng Long players depends on Loong’s size and the festival context.
Nowadays, local families no longer use Loong to
pound rice, but Loong has always been a close friend in their spiritual life.
Thai people dance Keeng Long when they are sad, and also when they are happy
like when moving to a new house or in the great national unity festival.
Its sounds can lure people to join festivals no matter what they are
doing and wherever they are.
Currently, in all Thai villages in Mai Chau
district, Keeng Loong is used to welcome tourists, becoming a traditional
cultural identity. Therefore, the preservation and promotion of the dance's
intangible cultural value is very necessary, contributing to meeting cultural
needs of people.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and
Tourism has recently coordinated with the Bureau of Culture and Sports of Mai
Chau district to organise a symposium on Keeng Loong.
The workshop brought together artisans from Tong
Dau, Na Phon, Mai Chau town and Chieng Chau commune. They highlighted the
cultural, scientific, historical and artistic values of Keeng Loong and
contributed ideas to complete a dossier to be submitted to the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism, seeking recognition of Keeng Long as national
intangible cultural heritage. They also proposed orientations and solutions to
preserve and promote values of Keeng Loong.
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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