Young girls
of the Mong perform their traditional dance during the event. (Photo courtesy
of the organiser)
The annual event has been organised by the Action for Mong Development group
and partners to promote the unique culture of the Mong.
It also provides a chance for Mong people living far from home to enjoy their
traditional celebrations and to preserve their culture, according to Ma A Lau,
member of the organising board.
Various activities will take place including music performances, dancing, game
and a fair where goods and specialties of the Mong will be sold.
Participants will have a chance to try on traditional costumes of the Mong as
well as enjoy delicious food such as banh day (packed sticky rice with meat or
bean fillings wrapped in banana leaves) and men men (steamed minced maize).
A cultural space of the Mong will feature music from pan pipe, bamboo flute and
Jew’s harp.
Unlike the Lunar New Year of the Kinh majority which falls on the first day of
the first lunar month, the New Year’s Eve of the Mong falls on the first day of
the last lunar month. The celebration is to express gratitude to ancestors and
gods.
The Mong is one of the largest ethnic groups in Vietnam. They live mostly in
the mountainous regions in the northern provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai
Chau, Son La, and in the north-central and Central Highlands provinces of Thanh
Hoa, Nghe An, Gia Lai and Kon Tum.
There are various Mong groups, such as white Mong, black Mong and flower Mong.
Though they are different from the costumes and languages, the Mong nationwide
have some common cultural traits, such as their New Year celebration.
Source: VNA
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