Tu Lu is being skillfully turned by Mong men of Pa Co commune (Mai
Chau, attracting both players and viewers.
Holding the spindle after the end of
his play, Phang A Sua, Pa Co commune (Mai Chau) informed: Tu Lu or spindle
turning is a typical folk game which has the martial character of Mong ethnic
people. Mong men in Hang Kia, Pa Co have
been very familiar with the spindles since they were small. When they grow up,
they can hew spindles by themselves and skillfully play this simple but
interesting game. Tu lu (spindles) can be made of hard wood such as: Iron- wood
(Tali), iron-wood, beech, oak and hawthorn root. The hewed spindle weights vary
to be fitted with the player weight. Spindles usually have a diameter of 7-10
cm and the weight of 300-500 gr. They have two heads, one hewed sharply and one
hewed flatly, which becomes the striking destination of other spindles. The
spinning cord or turning cord is made of flax, about 1m long and is connected
to a small stick made of a piece of bamboo with 40 cm long.
Sung A Do, Pa Co commune is the best spindle player and has a lot of experience said: Besides the hard spindle, the cord is very important. A spinning cord is good whether it is firm and soft, its head rolled into the spindle is tightened with a small cock feather so that when it rolls into spinning, the feather is drenched with water that is sticky to the spindle. The other heads tightened with a stick, the cord is long or short depending on the spinning and throwing ability of the player. If the stronger players will use the longer cords and vice versa, the weaker ones will use the shorter ones.
Depending on the region, each version
has its own format, which is free play and team play. Free play is irrespective
of the player and the striker, if they slip, they have to go spinning and the
players strike exactly will keep on striking, the person who hits first and not
be struck exactly by the others will keep on striking. Team play format divided
the players into two teams with 3-5 players per one team or even 10 people. On
a flat ground of about 50 m2, every member of each team will spin their
spindles so that the competitors can strike them. If the spindle is hit but
still spinning, that will still get the score. The interesting thing of the
game is that there are 3 rounds of spinning and striking the spindles. In the
first round, the spindles are turned 3m away from the lines, the second round
with 6m, the third one with 9m. The third round is always the most challenging
one, the skillfulness and strength of the men will be shown in this round.
Phang A Pao, Pa Co commune (Mai Chau) informed: this is the most difficult way
to play, in order to defeat the competitors, the player needs to be careful,
strike exactly with good prediction which requires a lot of experiences and
long practice to achieve.
Tu Lu not only shows the strength,
skillfulness, high accuracy, good estimation and handy experiences but also
shows the fair play style, which attracts both players and viewers.
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