(HBO) - In the early spring, the weather was cold and mountains and forests in the northwest were covered by dim mist. We visited Hang Kia and Pa Co communes in the mountainous district of Mai Chau. Together with local people and tourists, we were immersed in the festive atmosphere of Gau Tao – a cultural symbol of the Mong ethnic group. In Mong ethnic language, Gau Tao means travelling to sacred mountain in spring to pray for blessings.
Neu tree planting ceremony - special ritual of Gau Tao festival
Neu tree during the Gau Tao festival bears the symbol of a sacred tree linking
heaven with earth, praying for the birth of children and bumper harvest. For
long when spring arrives, the Mong people often erect neu trees, considering it
a sacred symbol to avoid bad luck and bring good luck for the New Year.
According to the legend, neu tree is erected with the purpose of preventing
devils from the East Sea from entering the mainland. However, over time, the
meaning of planting neu trees during New Year and spring days has been further
spread.
During the festival, the tree is a highlight, connecting the public. Once neu
tree is erected, all activities stop, creating an absolute balance between the
old and new years. People have fun activities and ignore sorrows of the old
year. When the tree is erected, the shaman will do worship rituals under the
tree canopy to pray for good health, well-being and bumper harvest.
The Gao Tau festival has long been considered a cultural symbol of the Mong
ethnic people. It was added to the list of national intangible cultural
heritages in December 2012 by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In
2017, for the first time, the provincial People's Committee decided to re-stage
Gau Tao festival. The Gau Tao festival of the Mong ethnic group in Pa Co
commune, Mai Chau district in 2017 was held at a stadium in Xa Linh hamlet, Pa
Co commune.
Mua A Ky from Xa Linh 1 village, Pa Co commune, over 60, was very excited to
join the festival. He said Gau Tao festival is a traditional cultural and
religious activity of the Mong people.
joining Gau Tao festival, visitors could join in a number of cultural, art and
sport activities such as Khen (pan-pipe) dancing performance in Pa Co and Hang
Kia communes. Traditional food and outstanding agro-forestry products imbued
with Mong ethnic characteristics were also introduced to visitors. Among
highlights were also the crafting of knifes and the making of traditional rice
cakes.
Following the success of Gau Tao festival 2017 in Pa Co commune, the event was
held in Hang Kia commune this year.
Gau Tao festival held in Pa Co and Hang Kia communes not only contribute to
preserving and upholding traditional cultural values of the Mong ethnic group
and popularising historic and cultural values, and typical tourist products of
Hoa Binh in general and Mai Chau district in particular./.
Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province, is widely regarded as the cultural heartland of the Muong ethnic group. Among its many traditional communities, Luy Ai hamlet (formerly Ai hamlet) stands out as a rare location where the customs and way of life of the Muong Bi people remain largely intact.
The Truong Kha temple festival, a distinctive cultural event held every three years in Vu Ban township, Lac Son district, returned recently with vibrant rituals and folk traditions of the Muong people. Located next to the Buoi River in the Muong Trao fields, the Truong Kha Temple is dedicated to the three Kun Dol deities, revered for teaching farming techniques, irrigation, weaving, and protecting the harvest.
The demand for spaces serving community activities of residents in various areas across Hoa Binh city has been satisfied as local cultural houses now feature modern, spacious facilities thanks to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 49/NQ-HDND issued on December 28, 2021 by the city People's Council, which approved the plan for reorganising, converting, and allocating land for the construction, repair, and expansion of cultural houses in Hoa Binh’s villages and residential areas until 2025.
At the end of May, the Hoa Binh Provincial Ethnic Arts Troupe organized a series of performances for residents in Region 2 and Region 3 communes across the province. Bringing art to ethnic communities in remote, isolated, and especially disadvantaged areas has become a meaningful activity. These are not merely artistic performances but also journeys to disseminate cultural values, enrich spiritual life, and contribute to preserving the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.
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