The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 24 organised a conference to report on the results of collecting, researching, restoring, and preserving "Bi doi”, a musical instrument of the airophonic family and a traditional instrument of the Muong ethnic people in Da Bac district.
Delegates watch documentary on the technique of
crafting and the art of performing "Bi doi” of the Muong people in Da Bac.
The delegates watched a documentary showcasing the results
of the "Bi doi" collection and documentation as well as the technique
of crafting and the art of performing the instrument.
"Bi doi” is a unique musical instrument of the Muong people
in Da Bac district who also refer to it as "Pi Toi” or "Pi Doi”. It is used
during festive occasions, celebrations, and Tet holidays, and in the
storytelling time after long hours of hard work. "Bi doi” has become an
indispensable instrument, embodying the spirit and essence of Muong ethnic
minorities.
In its efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage
of ethnic minorities in the province, the department has undertaken the
collection, research, and restoration of the methods for finding materials,
crafting, and teaching the instrument. The goal is to preserve and promote its
cultural value, while also developing tourism services, and fostering
socio-economic, and cultural development in the locality.
This effort is part of the project to preserve the cultural
heritage of the Muong ethnic group and the "Hoa Binh Civilisation,"
thus contributing to affirming the position, role, and profound significance of
traditional musical instruments in the cultural life of the group, and raise
awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting the "Bi doi” instrument.
At the conference, delegates from various departments,
agencies and the district, and artisans contributed their opinions on the
results of the collection and documentation of this instrument, as well as
measures to preserve and promote local cultural heritage.
Along with the activities of Project 6 - the national target programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas for the 2021 – 2026 period, efforts to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in Lac Son district have received additional momentum.
In the context of globalisation and deeper integration, preserving and promoting the national cultural identity is of utmost importance. Aware of their pioneering and proactive role on all fronts, over the years, the youth organisations at all levels in Hoa Binh province have implemented various concrete and practical activities to preserve and promote the cultural identities of ethnic groups in the locality.
Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province is home to seven ethnic groups, six of which are minorities. The cultural identities of the ethnic minority groups have been preserved well. One of the district’s effective preservation efforts is the establishment of a cultural preservation club at the Mai Chau Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minority Groups.
Within the framework of Project 6 on preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province organised a training programme and experimental competition of "danh mang” – a folk game played by the Muong ethnic group during their festivals – on November 26-27.
The Muong ethnic minority community, with a nationwide population of over 1.4 million, are primarily concentrated in Hoa Binh province, which is home to more than 500,000 Muong people who make up over 63% of the locality's total population. The promotion of the Muong language and script is crucial for preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Muong people, as well as bolstering socio-economic development, thus contributing to the effective implementation of the national target programme on boosting the socio-economic development of ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous regions.
As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."
