(HBO) - The Muong Thang new crop festival opened on February 10 in Dung Phong commune, Cao Phong district of the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh.
A unique gong performance
at the Muong Thang newcrop festival
The Muong Thang newcrop festival, also called the ploughing festival,
includes the ritual and festive activities. The rituals take place at the shrine of Dong Nhat hamlet, where the
village’s tutelary gods are worshipped. They include the palanquin procession
from the shrine to the place where the festival is held and vice versa. The procession
is solemnly held with flags, parasols and offerings with the participation of the
elderly, monks and crowds of local people.
The festive activities include folk
games such as ‘con’ ball throwing, duck catching and other sports, as well as a
singing contest, gong and folk music performances which are deeply imbued with the
Muong people’s cultural identity.
The festival offers a chance for
locals to express their gratitude towards and respect for gods who contributed
to forming the Muong land. Through the festival, local residents pray for a happy
and successful New Year, with positive achievements in socio-economic
development.
It is also a good opportunity
for Muong Thang people to meet and join together in exchange activities, thus tightening
the solidarity in the community./.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
