Preserving the "Muong culture" in Xuan Du

With over 30% of its population being ethnic Muong people, Xuan Du commune still preserves many traditional cultural values ​​closely intertwined with community life. In today's fast-paced life, these "Muong characteristics" remain quietly but deeply ingrained, contributing to the unique identity of this land.

Muong women in village 12 wear traditional costumes during gatherings and festivals.

Visiting Xuan Du during festivals, holidays, or national unity celebrations, one can easily spot graceful Muong women in their traditional attire. For them, the Muong dress not only holds aesthetic significance but also symbolizes their origins and national pride passed down through generations. In today's life, preserving and honoring traditional clothing in cultural activities and festivals is a way for the Muong people of Xuan Du to affirm their identity and nurture a sense of community.

Besides the values ​​embodied in their traditional costumes, the cultural life of the Muong people here is further enriched by the resounding sounds of gongs, folk songs, and rituals closely associated with community life. In Village 12 – where 98% of the population are Muong ethnic people – the gong ensemble and folk art troupe regularly practice and perform. When the gongs resound during the Great Unity Festival or other local cultural events, the atmosphere becomes more vibrant than ever, and this also serves as a "bond" connecting the community and generations. Village head Bui Thi Tuyet shared: “Now, living conditions are different from before; stilt houses are gone, but the villagers are always conscious of preserving their Muong identity. Thanks to community unity, most households in the village have erected fences with patterns depicting Muong women in traditional costumes playing gongs and drums. In daily life, the villagers still use their mother tongue and play gongs and drums during festivals and holidays. This consensus and pride of the people is the key factor that helps Muong culture be preserved and continue to be passed down in today's life.”

A prominent feature of the Muong people's cultural life in Xuan Du is the continued widespread use of their native language. In daily communication, the Muong language is used naturally, fostering a sense of closeness and familiarity. It is not only a means of communication but also a repository of folk knowledge, customs, traditions, and community behavior passed down through generations. Therefore, many families in the commune still prioritize teaching the Muong language to their children from a young age, considering it an important way to preserve their cultural roots. When the native language is frequently used, other forms of cultural activity such as folk songs, rituals, and traditional customs also have better conditions for preservation and continuation.

Besides cultural activities within the community, the religious life of the people of Xuan Du commune is also extremely rich, contributing significantly to preserving the "Muong character". Among these, the Phu Na festival, held at the beginning of spring, is a unique cultural and religious space, attracting a large number of local people and tourists from all over. The festival not only has spiritual significance but also serves as an opportunity for the community to meet, interact, and showcase traditional cultural values. In this cultural space, the image of people in traditional costumes, the sound of gongs and drums, and the sacred atmosphere create a cultural picture rich in identity. This is also an opportunity for the Muong people of Xuan Du to demonstrate their connection to folk beliefs and to spread the distinctive cultural values ​​of the locality.

Recognizing the crucial role of culture in community life, the Xuân Du commune government has identified the preservation and promotion of the cultural identity of ethnic minorities, including the Mường people, as a long-term task, linked to building a vibrant cultural life at the grassroots level and sustainable socio -economic development. According to Bùi Đức Chính, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of the Xuân Du Commune People's Committee, the locality always prioritizes preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the Mường people. Maintaining gong ensembles, encouraging the use of traditional costumes and language, along with cultural and religious activities, are considered fundamental to the continued enrichment of Mường cultural identity. “Cultural preservation cannot be separated from modern life; it must place the people at the center. When people understand, appreciate, and are proud of their identity, preserving culture will become a conscious effort and a need for the entire community,” Mr. Chính emphasized.

For the people of Xuan Du commune, preserving the "Muong character" in their lives today is not about clinging to outdated forms, but about preserving the spirit and cultural essence of a community. As long as the gongs still resound during festivals, as long as traditional clothing is still cherished, as long as the Muong language is still used in daily life, and as long as religious practices are maintained... then the Muong cultural identity will continue to thrive – quietly but persistently – contributing to the rich and diverse cultural landscape of Thanh Hoa province.

Text and photos: Hoai Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/giu-net-muong-o-xuan-du-274373.htm