On January 11, in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes (Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province), the Gau Tao Festival of the Mong people took place.
This is a traditional and unique folk cultural activity with long-standing cultural and religious features, attracting thousands of people and tourists to participate.
A shaman prays for peace, health and good harvest for people at the Gau Tao Festival. Photo: Trong Dat/VNA
The Gau Tao Festival, which means praying for blessings, fortune and thanksgiving, not only meets the spiritual needs of the Mong community but also plays an important role in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, while promoting the history, culture and tourism potential of the two communes of Pa Co and Hang Kia - a land famous for its wild beauty and rich culture.
The festival consists of two main parts: the ceremony and the festival. The ceremony begins with the erection of the pole – a sacred symbol connecting humans and gods. The pole is beautifully decorated, carrying wishes for a bountiful harvest, health and happiness.
The festival is a bustling space with many cultural and artistic activities and unique folk games.
Coming to this year's Gau Tao festival, in addition to the unique art program imbued with the cultural identity of the Mong people, visitors can also enjoy the traditional Khen dance, listen to the lively sound of the Khen, and admire the colorful brocade costumes.
Also within the framework of the festival, there are spaces for cuisine , agricultural products, and typical products of the Mong ethnic group. Visitors can also experience pounding rice cakes, throwing pao, and playing tu lu…
According to Mr. Hoang Duc Minh, Vice Chairman of Mai Chau District People's Committee, the annual organization of Gau Tao Festival affirms the special attention of all levels and sectors of Hoa Binh province in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group.
Scenery of Thung Man hamlet, Hang Kia commune. Photo: Trong Dat/VNA
This is also an opportunity for Mai Chau district to promote and introduce the history, culture and tourism potential of the two communes of Hang Kia - Pa Co; contributing to building a healthy cultural and spiritual life and creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere for people to welcome the Spring of At Ty 2025.
The two communes of Hang Kia and Pa Co are located at an altitude of more than 1,000m above sea level, with a fresh, cool climate and four seasons in one day, similar to Moc Chau (Son La).
In the two communes, the Mong ethnic group accounts for more than 90%. The Mong people here have many traditional occupations associated with daily life: Hand-weaving, brocade embroidery, indigo dyeing, beeswax painting, blacksmithing, do paper making... The local culinary culture is rich and unique such as: corn wine, thang co, cai meo, local chicken, local pig, sticky rice, wild bamboo shoots... When spring comes, the villages, paths, home gardens or mountain slopes, Hang Kia, Pa Co are covered in a pure white color of apricot and plum blossoms, embellished with the faded pink color of ancient peach trees. Spring is associated with Mong New Year, also the season of Gau Tao festival - the biggest and most important festival of the Mong community.
T.Toan
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dac-sac-le-hoi-gau-tao-cua-nguoi-mong-o-hoa-binh-post329990.html
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