Sao oi (Muong flute), a unique traditional instrument of the Muong ethnic people, calls out the arrival of spring throughout the villages. Its pure and tender tones are reminiscent of the gentle spring breeze, carrying the thoughts and emotions of the highland people of the northwest.
Ha Xuan Trong, from Man Duc town, Tan Lac district, is captivated by melody of Muong flute.
During village gatherings, spring festivals and Tet celebrations, the Muong people often use the Mưong flute to accompany singing, especially lullabies, folk songs, and Muong folk songs.
The Muong flute, also known as "ống ôi" or "kháo ôi" by the Muong people, was ingeniously crafted by generations of skilled artisans, passed down from one generation to the next. Made primarily from bamboo, it has 4 finger holes and 5 musical notes: Ho - Su - Sang - Xe - Cong, and can produce high-pitched tones. Therefore, the sound of the Muong flute is simple and rustic, yet profound and gentle, with its own distinct nuances.
Unlike the bamboo flute, the Muong flute is suitable for Muong folk melodies. The Muong people's flute is likened to a call of love. While Hmong men use the "khèn” and "kèn lá” to express affection and win over girls, Muong men use the Muong flute to convey their feelings of love and affection. Its melodious sound travels from one end of the village to the other; in the forest, on the fields, it echoes from one place to another; by the rivers, streams, it resonates from one bank to the other. In the flute's melody, many words like "ôi" are used, such as ôi hỡi (my friend), ôi hày (oh dear), ôi hạ (oh dear), ôi hởi (oh dear), hỡi ôi (my dear) sounding intimate and sincere. The sound of the Muong flute seems to call out to loved ones, stirring the hearts of Muong girls. Its echoing tones are like expressions of affectionate confession, promises, vows, so deeply resonant! From those heartfelt sounds, the words "ôi" and "ơi" have paved the way for young couples to come together, innocently and passionately, yet filled with love and meaning.
Today, the Muong flute continues to be cherished, refined, and passed down through the skilled hands of Muong artisans across generations. Its resonant sound carries melodies and emotions, heralding the arrival of spring.
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).
In the evening of March 28th, in Hoa Binh, the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city to organize a mobile propaganda contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7th, 1954 - May 7th, 2024) with the theme "Returning to Dien Bien”. There ứa the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the representatives of the leaders from a number of departments, branches and numerous veterans and Hoa Binh people.
In responding to the movement of "All people stay united to build cultural lifestyle”, over the years, Kim Boi district has conducted many practical and effective activities to promote solidarity and mutual support among the local community in sustainable poverty reduction and building cultural lifestyle and a healthy cultural environment, and maintaining national cultural identity.
Hoa Binh Pedagogical College has just held the closing ceremony of the training class and issued the certificate of the language of Muong ethnic people to the oficials, civil servants and public employees of courses I and II in 2023.
Hoa Binh is an ancient land home to limestone mountains running along the southeast direction and in parallel with Truong Son Mountain Range in the West, forming many basins and valleys with a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Humans came to reside here in the pre-historic period, creating the world-famous Hoa Binh Civilisation.
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