(HBO) - For a long time, Lo Son fair has become an indispensable cultural feature of the people in Lo Son commune (Tan Lac) and the neighboring communes. In addition to the purpose of buying, selling and exchanging the local products, the fair is held twice a week and is a place where the gentle, friendly and naive Muong people meet each other.

About 20 km far from the center of Tan Lac district, Lo Son is a remote commune with the difficult economic conditions of the district. To get to the fair, people are busy preparing when it is dawn, the night dew is still on the leaves and the grass and the sun is still deep in the mountain. Following the trails on the mountainside, the main road is paved with asphalt to the vacant land in the center of the commune. From the early morning, Lo Son fair is crowded with people.

Lo Son commune fair (Tan Lac) is an opportunity for the people in the commune and the neighboring ones to trade, meet and exchange.

The commune’s fair is filled with the local culture. People bring there the things that the family can produce by themselves or raise or collect in the forests such as bamboo shoots, forest vegetables, Doi seeds, pigs, chickens and also the cakes often called "Husband-wife cake”, a traditional cake of Muong ethnic people. The fair is also an opportunity for small businesses to bring goods such as hoes, shovels, knives, blankets, mats, pillows, curtains, household items ...from the plains to serve the needs of the mountainous people.

People going to the market are very diverse. They are those of all ages, from the baby chasing the mother to the elderly with the cuffed back, the gray hair and the mouth chewing the betel-nut. Although the fair is very bustling, it seems that they rarely charge high prices for an item and the buyer never gives the item back. As they consider it as an exchange item to get to know each other, the seller does not charge high prices, the buyer does not pay for the price. Goods displayed are also extremely simple. Sometimes, they are displayed on banana leaves, sacks, raincoats, tarpaulins or in baskets, pots ... The kiosks are also set up simply.They use bamboo, cork, corrugated iron or covered roof ...

Lo Son fair is a miniature picture, showing the traditional culture of Muong ethnic people in Lo Son commune and the neighboring communes. Although life is growing day by day, the fair still remains a distinct culture making a good impression for those who come there once. It makes them remember and love the land of gratitude.

 


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