Unique Muong culture in Ea Pal

09:30, 05/07/2023

After more than 40 years of settling in the new land, along with developing the family economy , the Muong people in Ea Pal commune (Ea Kar district) still preserve their unique cultural features, contributing to creating a diverse and rich cultural identity in the area.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Nhanh, who has lived in Ea Pal commune for nearly 30 years, the Muong ethnic group in the commune currently has about 700 people, scattered in most villages, of which the largest number is in village 9 with more than 300 people. While taking care of economic development, the Muong people here do not forget to preserve and promote the fine traditional cultural values of their ethnic group. Currently, the commune is maintaining the Muong Ethnic Culture Club, regularly meeting, practicing arts, and participating in local programs and events...

Mr. Pham Van Nhuong introduces Mo Muong heritage.

Mr. Pham Van Nhuong's family (village 9) is one of the households that still preserves most of the cultural features of the Muong people here. The traditional stilt house built by Mr. Nhuong's family a long time ago is still sturdy, a meeting place for many people far from home. In the house, traditional items such as household items, labor tools, gongs, etc. are still preserved. Introducing gongs, Mr. Nhuong said that they are not simply musical instruments but have become indispensable cultural values in the life of the Muong community. Gongs are only used in important festivals. Therefore, when introducing gongs, Mr. Nhuong cherishes them and does not play them, because "when hearing the sound of gongs, people will come in large numbers...", Mr. Muong happily said.

Costumes are also one of the cultural features that people cherish and preserve. Although not elaborate or colorful, Muong costumes are distinctive in terms of shape and aesthetics. When guests visit her house, Ms. Le Thi Dien (village 9) brings bundles of traditional fabrics and clothes that have been preserved for many years and proudly introduces the materials and special uses of each type of fabric. The joy of sharing the fine traditions of her people is clearly seen in Ms. Dien's eyes.

Along with gongs, costumes, preserving bamboo dances and fan dances, the Muong people here also preserve a rich culinary culture with ingredients taken from the fields and forests such as grilled fish, colored sticky rice, smoked meat, wild bamboo shoots...

In particular, the Muong people also possess the unique cultural heritage of Mo Muong. This is a sacred folk ritual used in funerals or health-praying rituals of the Muong people. Currently, the Mo Muong cultural heritage is being built as a national dossier to submit to UNESCO for inclusion in the list of intangible cultural heritage for urgent protection.

Ms. Le Thi Dien wears traditional costume.

Recently, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Institute of Music (Vietnam National Academy of Music) organized an inventory program on the Mo Muong cultural heritage of the Muong people in the province. Ea Pal commune is fortunate to still preserve this heritage, with two Mo masters and two assistant Mo masters. As an assistant Mo master, Mr. Bui Van Thu expressed his joy at knowing that one of the cultural identities of the Muong people has been and continues to be preserved and promoted. He will, together with Mo masters, assistant Mo masters, and people knowledgeable about Muong culture, continue to collect, preserve and pass on these beautiful cultural values to the younger generation.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Dang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ea Pal Commune, said that there are many ethnic groups living in the commune such as Tay, Thai, Muong, etc. Like other ethnic groups, the Muong people here still retain their unique cultural identity. The government always encourages and creates conditions for people to establish clubs and activities, supporting them to develop both the economy and spiritual life, improve the quality of life, and contribute to the development of the local economy and society.

Tomorrow

Source link