Mai Chau receives certificate recognising “Keng loong” dance as national intangible cultural heritage

2/21/2024 - 4:04:13 PM

The People’s Committee of Mai Chau district held a ceremony on February 19 to receive a certificate recognising "Keng loong,” a folk dance of the Thai community in Mai Chau, as a national intangible cultural heritage item. The Xen Muong festival was opened on the same occasion.

Prominent among guests at the event were Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh Party Committee; Bui Duc Hinh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council; Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Nguyen Van Toan, Vice Chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, as well as leaders of departments and localities of Hoa Binh and representatives from some nearby provinces.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong hands over the certificate recognising "Keng loong” as a national intangible cultural heritage item to Mai Chau leaders.

"Keng loong is one of the typical traditional cultural practices of the Thai community in Mai Chau, which is closely attached with the life of the community. Keng loong dance has become an indispensable part of Thai people, especially during traditional festivals such as the "com moi” (new rice) festival, Xen ban – Xen Muong festival, "cha chieng” festival, and Lunar New Year Festival, contributing to nurturing the soul of Thai people.

In November 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 4346/QD-BVHTTDL on adding the Keng loong social practice and belief of Thai people in Mai Chau into the list of national intangible cultural heritages.

The ceremony to receive the national intangible cultural heritage certificate of Keng loong was held within the framework of Xen Muong festival, becoming an occasion to honour the heritage and efforts of the community and artisans in preserving and promoting its values, and enhance the community’s sense of responsibility in passing down the heritage to future generations.

At the ceremony, participants were briefed on the values of Keng loong social practice and belief of the Thai people in Mai Chau. The Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism handed over the national intangible cultural heritage certificate of Keng loong to representatives of Mai Chau.

Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh Party Committee beat the drum to launch the Xen Muong festival. Participants at the event enjoyed Keng loong dance performed by local artisans, and a special art programme.

On the occasion, officials of Hoa Binh and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism engaged in an incense offering ceremony and a tree planting event at Bon village temple.

Bringing art to remote areas - promoting ethnic culture

Hoa Binh city - Vibrant community activities at cultural houses

Building a cultural conservation area for Muong ethnic group in Luy Ai hamlet

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.

Truong Kha temple festival celebrates Muong cultural heritage

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.

Hoa Binh city residents enjoy upgraded cultural houses

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.

Enhancing cultural and spiritual life in remote and ethnic minority areas

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.