The Khmu ethnic group - A unique feature in the diverse cultural landscape of Son La.

The Khơ Mú people account for approximately 1.3% of the province's total population, with over 16,000 people, mainly residing in highland communes and villages in the Thuận Châu, Sông Mã, Mường La, Mai Sơn, Sốp Cộp, and Yên Châu districts. The Khơ Mú culture is a culmination of the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, clearly reflected in their clothing, performing arts, and community rituals.

The Khơ Mú ethnic folk culture club of Chiềng La commune performs the au eo dance.

The Khơ Mú community in Sơn La always preserves and passes on the unique traditional cultural values ​​of their ethnic group. Ms. Mòng Thị Ơi, an outstanding Khơ Mú artisan from Sốp Cộp commune, shared: "In many places, the Khơ Mú people live alongside the Thái people, but they still maintain their own language, clothing, and especially their traditional rituals, dances, and musical instruments, which are a source of pride in our ethnic origins. With the desire to preserve traditional cultural values, I actively participate in activities in the village and commune, teaching the language, folk songs, and rituals to the younger generation."

A performance of an excerpt from the Khơ Mú ethnic group's new rice offering ceremony was held as part of the activities commemorating the 130th anniversary of the founding of Sơn La province.

The traditional clothing of the Khơ Mú people is distinctive and easily recognizable, especially the women's attire, which is predominantly black. A black skirt, paired with a black blouse, is adorned with large rectangular silver buttons and silver coins. The embroidered headscarf is brightly colored and wrapped around the neck, revealing the pattern. The people's traditional culture has many unique features. Among them is the "au eo" dance, a graceful hip-shaking dance combined with bamboo props, mimicking daily life activities such as harvesting rice, planting corn, picking vegetables, and catching shrimp. Their music, though simple, is rich in meaning. Besides drums, flutes, and pipes, there is also the monkey gong (rơ bang họa), a musical instrument made from three horizontally arranged bamboo tubes that produces pleasant sounds when struck, often used to accompany songs and dances.

Khơ Mú ethnic artisans perform the ritual of offering sacrifices to the new rice crop.

The Khơ Mú people's spiritual beliefs and traditions are expressed through ancestor worship customs and the maintenance of life cycle rituals, from naming ceremonies, weddings, and funerals to communal rituals of the clan and village. Particularly noteworthy are the sweet potato ceremony, taro offering ceremony, the Xên Cung ceremony (village offering ceremony), the new rice offering ceremony, and the New Year celebration.

Mr. Lo Van On, a respected folk artist of the Khơ Mú ethnic group in Phieng Nong village, Chieng La commune, said: "The New Rice Offering Ceremony is the biggest annual ritual of the Khơ Mú people. It is held to express gratitude to the gods and ancestors, and to pray for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and thriving livestock. The ceremony also aims to teach descendants to protect the forest and water sources, to be united, to maintain peace and prosperity in the village, and to create a joyful and festive atmosphere for the villagers."

A training course on folk culture for the Khơ Mú ethnic performing arts group in Chiềng La commune.

To preserve and promote the traditional culture of the Khơ Mú ethnic group, many practical solutions have been implemented by localities, especially strengthening propaganda and encouraging the Khơ Mú people to consciously preserve their cultural roots. Khơ Mú artisans have received attention, with two being awarded the title of "Outstanding Artisan". In Khơ Mú villages, amateur performing arts groups have been established and maintain regular activities; some core groups have even received training and support in staging and choreographing performances reflecting the ethnic identity. Recently, a Khơ Mú Folk Culture Club was established in Chiềng La commune, maintaining the teaching of traditional dances, instrumental music, and reenactment of rituals.

Khơ Mú women in Huổi Một commune preserve the beauty of traditional embroidery patterns.

Mr. Lo Van Thom, the club's chairman, shared: "The club has members of many ages. We maintain regular activities, practice, and perform for cultural exchange. Recently, the club had the opportunity to perform the new rice offering ceremony at the 130th anniversary celebration of Son La province. This is an honor and a source of pride, and we feel a greater responsibility to preserve the Khơ Mú ethnic culture."

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been actively researching and carrying out the inventory of heritage for the traditional cultural forms of the Khơ Mú ethnic group. In particular, the Department is currently compiling a dossier on the Khơ Mú New Year celebration cultural heritage to propose its inclusion in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, so that the traditional culture of the Khơ Mú people can be continued, preserved, and its value promoted.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/dan-toc-kho-mu-net-doc-dao-trong-buc-tranh-van-hoa-da-sac-cua-son-la-L1feQdGDg.html