(HBO) - From February 12th to 13th (i.e, January 12th and 13th of the lunar calendar), the People's Committee of Van Son commune (Lac Son) held the Festival of Ken Communal House in 2022.
The spiritual rituals of Khenh
communal house are fully implemented.
Located at the foot of Khu Khenh
mountain, Khenh communal house worships the ancestors who have contributed to
Muong ethnic people, helping Muong Khen people to be peaceful with good crops,
helping the people, to be healthy and the animals breeding. The legend tells
that Ngo invaders came to invade Muong land in the past, Mr. Chuong Tin - Ms.
Trieu An used Khu Kheh mountain as a base to recruit Muong soldiers and train
them, then they brought the troops to fight against Ngo invaders. They defeated
the enemy and killed them. They decapitated the enemy general's heads and
brought them to Khu Khenh to sacrifice to heaven and earth. Later, they turned
into Khu Khen. Muong people remember their merits, so they set up a communal
house to worship. The worshiping figures in the communal house include Mr.
Truong Tin, Ms. Trieu An and the village gods...
Being restored and held annually
since 2018, the Festival of Khenh Communal House in 2022 - the traditional
event of folk belief of the People of ethnic groups in the area is held
separately for the ceremony, not for the festival part as every year in order
to ensure the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemics. However, it can
maintain and promote the values of the traditional cultural identity of Muong
ethnic group. In addition to fully performing the spiritual rituals, the
organizing committee conductes the ceremony of bestowing lucky rice at the
beginning of the year with the desire to bring luck, fortune and wealth to the
families.
The clothing of women reflects the culture of the Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong ethnic groups in the northern province of Hoa Binh.
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
.jpg)
