(HBO) – Whether harvesting rice, planting maize in the fields or picking vegetables and herbal leaves in the forest, or going to the market every day, Tay ethnic women in Muong Chieng commune, Da Bac district wear their ethnic costumes as a habit and pride and above all, an esteem of their cultural beauty.
Photo: Women in Chieng Cang hamlet of Muong Chieng
commune, Da Bac district, wear traditional Tay ethnic costumes in daily life.
Vice Chairman of the communal People’s Committee Bui Van Huong said as a hub of
the district, the commune has three ethic groups living together, including
Tay, Muong and Kinh. Of them, Tay people hold a majority. While Tay men usually
wear traditional costumes during festivals or special events at home, women
love wearing them every day.
In 2017, Muong worship festival was the most
outstanding event of Tay group in Da Bac district, which has been restored. It
dated back to a time when Tay people began to live and explore the land of
Muong Xong, known as Muong Chieng today, to settle down. Held at the beginning
of the year, the festival aims to commemorate ancestors and those who explored
and built the village as well as paid respect to the gods of land, water and
forest for endowing local residents with favourable weather conditions, a
peaceful, healthy life, and bumper harvests.
The local Tay community also preserves a new rice
festival which is held in the 10th lunar month. It is meant to thank
ancestors for a bountiful harvest and pray them to bless the next crop.
Depending on affordability of each family, those who can afford often make it
big, those who can't will make it small, but they must keep it. Especially,
recently, attention has been paid to learning Tay characters in the community.
With local teachers, the community learning centre opened dozens of Tay
language classes for about 300 people.
Along with preserving and promoting cultural values,
people of ethnic groups in the locality followed regulations in residential
areas. Weddings, funerals and festivals are organised in new and civilised
trend, typically in such hamlets as Na Muoi, Chum Nua, Chieng Cang, Ban Ha, and
Ke./.
The 10th art festival for the armed forces, youths and students of Hoa Binh province celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Day wrapped up on April 25.
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.
