(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.
When spring comes, festivals are held in villages in all four Muong areas, namely Bi, Vang, Thanh, and Dong in Hoa Binh provinces. Along with the preservation and restoration of festivals, many unique rituals in the festivals are recreated, which attract a lot of local residents and tourists.
On the morning of February 1, 2025 (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year), the Lac Thuy district People’s Committee hosted the opening of the Tien pagoda festival. Attending the event were alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Phi Long, permanent Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Commtitee Bui Duc Hinh.
Residents in Mai Chau district’s Pa Co commune have boldly restored and developed some traditional occupations, such as flax growing, weaving, indigo dyeing, and beeswax painting, contributing to not only preserving cultural values, but also promoting economic development in ethnic minority inhabited-areas.
The Hoa Binh provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the People’s Committee of Hoa Binh city opened a mascot exhibition at Hoa Binh Square on January 22, an activity in celebration of the Year of the Snake.
When it comes to springtime blooms, many are familiar with the vibrant pink of peach blossoms in northern Vietnam or the golden hue of apricot flowers in the south. However, there is another elegant bloom that once held sway in the historic capital of Thang Long – Hanoi, known in bygone days as Ke Cho. The pure and pristine narcissus flower, a harbinger of the Lunar New Year (Tet), is making a comeback, and its story is as captivating as its beauty.
The Hoa Binh provincial Journalists’ Association, in collaboration with the Hoa Binh city People's Committee, officially launched the Spring Press Festival 2025 at Hoa Binh Square on January 22.
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