Preserving and promoting the artistic value of Muong singing

Previously, singing rang bo meng and hat doi giao duyen were the most common genres in the daily life of the Muong people in Hoa Binh . After a period of decline, this unique art form has received attention from local authorities and committees, and the community has joined hands to preserve it, bringing Muong singing back to its inherent important position, contributing to promoting good traditional cultural values.

Artists performing duets within the framework of the 2024 Festival of singing folk songs, duets and folk poetry of Muong people in Lac Son district.

Every year, especially during the first days of the new year, especially during the festival season in the 4 Muong regions: Bi, Vang, Thang, Dong, competitions and exchanges of singing, singing and duets often take place. Most impressively, at the 2023 Muong ethnic group opening festival in Hoa Binh province held in Phong Phu commune in Muong Bi region (Tan Lac), the duets singing competition was included as one of the main activities, attracting the participation of hundreds of artisans from the 4 major Muong regions, contributing to the atmosphere of exchange, excitement and strong identity. In addition to maintaining the organization of this content at the 2024 Muong ethnic group opening festival, within the framework of the traditional stream fishing festival of Lo Son - Tan Lac commune, the district annually maintains the organization of competitions of singing, singing and duets singing at the commune level.

Muong singing art is loved and admired by the community more than in the communes of Muong Vang area (Lac Son). Hat thuong rang bo meng, hat doi giao duyen becomes an indispensable spiritual food in cultural and artistic exchange activities in residential areas, large and small community events... Artists often perform Muong singing in festival spaces, such as: Coi communal house festival - Vu Binh commune, Muong Voi swing - Vu Ban town, But Hang Khu Dung procession - Nhan Nghia commune, Khoi communal house - An Nghia commune, Khenh communal house - Van Son commune... In addition, there are also other performance venues such as: cultural houses, tourist areas... In the area, many Muong singing clubs have been established to maintain regular activities, actively exchange and perform with clubs inside and outside the district and some other provinces.

In November 2024, in Lac Son district - a locality with 92% of the population being Muong ethnic people, a festival of singing rang bo meng, duets giao duyen and singing lay Muong folk poetry took place. Comrade Bui Thi Tham, Director of the Center for Culture - Sports and Communication of Lac Son district, said: The festival was held for the first time, more than 300 artisans from communes, towns, Muong Khu, Bai Chim, Vu Binh clubs... gathered to exchange, show off their talent in responding with sweet, deep voices.

According to artisan Bui Van Ay of Dinh Cu commune, the festival creates a joyful and exciting atmosphere, an opportunity for artisans and people who love folk culture to have a meaningful playground, to exchange, learn and share experiences between artisans from the Club and the communes. Organizing the festival helps Muong people to be more proud and love their homeland and country, and encourages the preservation and promotion of customs and cultural identity of the Muong people.

Meritorious Artist, folk culture researcher Bui Huy Vong, Huong Nhuong commune (Lac Son) shared: Hat Thuong Rang Bo Mang, Hat Doi Giao Duyen is an oral singing style that originated from ancient times. The singing can take place at weddings, housewarmings, holidays, festivals... with rich content, rich in poetry, borrowing natural scenery to compare and convey feelings through simple, rustic melodies and music. The topics in Muong singing are very broad, from greetings, love, crops, customs, New Year wishes... Talking about performance, Muong singing art is special in that it shows the singer's deep understanding. They compose their own lyrics or use them from the folk song treasury of their people.

Currently, along with the restoration and preservation of tangible and intangible culture, folk melodies such as rang bo meng and hat doi giao duyen are becoming more and more popular and continue to be encouraged by local authorities and Party committees, creating favorable conditions for performance space and practice environment. In 2023, this unique performing art is one of two heritages that the province submitted a scientific dossier to propose the state to register as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Bui Minh

Source: http://www.baohoabinh.com.vn/16/197378/Bao-ton-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-nghe-thuat-hat-Muong.htm