The banyan tree of Mo hamlet - Vietnam's heritage tree

(HBĐT) - Along with Lac village, Lang cave, Pieng Kem cave, the star apple tree in Mo hamlet - a Vietnamese heritage tree associated with Muong Thuong land, Chieng Chau commune (Mai Chau). Some local tourism workers are cherishing the idea of building a series of experiential activities with the schedule of star apple tree in Mo hamlet - Lac village - Pieng Kem cave to contribute to introducing and promoting the beautiful destination of Chieng Chau, which has historical value and is rich in Thai ethnic cultural identity.

Tourists admire the fig tree in Mo hamlet, Chieng Chau commune (Mai Chau) which has been honored as a Vietnamese heritage tree.

Located right by the road at the end of Mo hamlet, the ancient fig tree is like a towering giant, carrying the sediments of time. Mr. Mac Van Quan, a cultural officer of Chieng Chau commune, said: To be recognized as a Vietnamese heritage tree, this fig tree meets all the criteria such as: growing naturally, living for at least 200 years, tall and majestic, with a unique shape. In particular, the tree has landscape, cultural and historical value. Visitors coming here cannot help but be amazed by the majesty of the thousand-year-old fig tree, with a trunk so large that dozens of people cannot hug it, with rough, bumpy roots around the base and thick layers of bark peeling off in patches. The middle of the fig tree trunk is still riddled with large holes, even the branches on the top are covered with moss and mold, stained with the color of time.

The people here know by heart the legendary story of the past when the Black Flag bandits from the North, commanded by General Luu Huu Phuc, came down from Moc Chau ( Son La ), and ordered their troops to build a fortification in the area of the banyan tree in Mo hamlet, hoping to occupy Mai Chau. Wherever the cruel bandits went, they plundered the people's property, destroyed crops, killed young men in the village and soldiers wherever they passed, took their heads and presented them to the Generals for their merits and hung them on the banyan tree to show their power. After receiving their merits, they dug a hole and buried them about 200 meters from the banyan tree towards Thanh Hoa. Every time they passed by here, the people were extremely indignant at the barbaric crimes of the bandits. That's why they nurtured the will to repel the invaders. The banyan tree in Mo hamlet became a witness to the crimes of the past.

During the French colonial period, the enemy continued to arrest and kill people without reason, then cut off their heads and hung them on the banyan tree. The banyan tree was stained with the blood of many patriotic soldiers. During the war years, the enemy bombed heavily, and the old banyan tree became a place for militia and guerrillas to meet, deploy troops, and set up battle lines. The tree is a historical witness in the two wars of the nation, a savior protecting the villagers.

August and September are the season of ripe star fruit, people passing by here can still inhale the sweet scent of the fragrant star fruit. The ancient star fruit tree is like the soul of the Thai people in Mai Chau. People consider the star fruit tree a priceless asset and believe that it is very sacred. In the past, even mandarins passing by here had to get off their horses and lead them across. Nowadays, on the occasion of the annual Xen Muong festival, the shaman must first perform a worshiping ritual at the star fruit tree root before returning to the Bon village temple to perform the ceremony.

In 2016, the tree in Mo Hamlet was honored as a Vietnamese heritage tree. Thanks to good protection, the ancient tree is still intact, spreading green shade all year round. People in the hamlet regularly take turns taking care of it and cleaning it. The local government has stepped up propaganda and promotion so that people and tourists can better understand the value of historical witnesses and join hands to preserve and promote local cultural and historical values.

Bui Minh

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