(HBO) - Over their long history, the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh has created and preserved a rich and diverse folk culture, in which the Mo Muong is a prominent and unique one that has profound human values. Generations of Muong people have passed down Mo Muong verbally, giving vitality and popularity to this special intangible cultural heritage.
Shaman Bui Hong Bao in Tan
Lac district’s Phong Phu commune performs a Mo ritual.
Mo Muong is a rite of reciting Mo (poetry) during rituals of the Muong
people, in which the Thay mo (shaman) plays the main role. The shaman knows by
heart not only tens of thousands of lines of Mo but also traditional
rituals and customs. In Muong society, the shaman is an intellectual and a
reputable person in the community.
Mo Muong recitations are part of 23 Muong rituals, including funerals, in
which tens of thousands of Mo lines are recited throughout 12 days and
nights, which demonstrates the essence and core values of the Mo tradition.
Currently, there are many collections of Mo versions, of which three main ones
have been published.
In order to well preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage, the
provincial Party Committee has issued many important documents in the field of
culture, which identify Mo Muong as one of the heritages that need to be
preserved and promoted.
The provincial People's Committee has established a Steering Committee for Mo
Muong Hoa Binh and built a plan to make a scientific dossier on Mo Muong which
will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to seek
recognition of Mo as part of the national heritage, looking toward seeking
recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
In 2018, the provincial People's Committee approved two projects on preserving
and promoting the typical intangible cultural values of the Muong ethnic group
in the 2018 - 2030 period and preserving and promoting the values of Mo Muong
Hoa Binh cultural heritages in 2019 - 2025 periods and the following years.
Party committees, authorities and relevant agencies have carried out
synchronously solutions to protect and promote the value of cultural heritage
in general and Mo Muong heritage in particular in a scientific manner. They
have also popularized the value of heritage, thereby raising awareness and
responsibility in jointly protecting cultural heritages among local residents.
On February 12th (i.e. Lunar January 15), the People's Committee of Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district organized the Festival of Sim Pagoda Festival in At Ty Spring, 2025. The festival welcomed many people and tourists to visit the pagoda and enjoy the scenery.
The palanquin procession to Sim Pagoda.
As Hoa Binh province is set to host 115 spring festivals, local departments, sectors and localities are joining hands to ensure safety for the events.
In many major cultural events in Hanoi, the sound of the Muong people's gongs has become a special tone, contributing to the unique harmony that praises the cultural values accumulated over thousands of years along with the sacred soul of the capital city.
On the first day back to work and school after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of female officials, civil servants, and students from grade nine and above in Lac Son district proudly wore the traditional Muong attire. The vibrant brocade patterns created a striking cultural display, reinforcing the community's commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage.
The provincial-level Khai Ha festival 2025 of the Muong ethnic minority group took place at Phong Phu commune’s stadium in Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province on the morning of February 5 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).
"Xuong Dong” (going to the field) festival opened in Yen Phu commune of Hoa Binh’s Lac Son district on February 5, or the eighth day of the Year of the Snake, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to partake in a variety of activities.
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