Keeping the waterwheel turning rhythmically along the Nặm É river.

On the road to the center of Long He commune, passing through the lush green rice fields of Nong Lanh village, waterwheels still turn day and night along the Nam E stream to bring water to irrigate the fields. These waterwheels are also a distinctive feature of the traditional culture of the Thai ethnic people here.

The Nặm É stream is located in Long Hẹ commune.

For the Thai ethnic group, water plays a particularly important role in their lives and production. Since ancient times, they have often chosen areas near water sources to establish villages and build houses. The Thai people have a familiar saying: "Mương, phai, lái, lín, lốc, cọn." In this saying, "mương" refers to a water channel, "phai" is a dam, "lai" is a water channel, "lin" is a system for distributing water to the fields, "loc" is a tool for lifting water, and "cồn" is a water wheel operated by natural water power. These are crucial conditions for exploiting water resources to serve agriculture .

Following the Nặm É stream, dozens of waterwheels appear amidst the peaceful scenery. Made primarily from readily available bamboo and rattan, each waterwheel is the result of skill and experience passed down through generations. Under the influence of the current, the wheels turn continuously, drawing water from the stream up the channel and then flowing through a system of small ditches to the fields.

Water flows from the waterwheel down the channel to the rice fields.

Waterwheels have been an integral part of the lives of the local people for generations, and no one remembers exactly when they first appeared. Ms. Ca Thi Ngoan, from Nong Lanh village, Long He commune, shared: "I've seen waterwheels since I was a child. Back then, almost every family with rice fields near the stream knew how to build one. Thanks to the waterwheels, the fields always had enough water."

Thai women by the waterwheels.

To build a sturdy waterwheel, one must select mature bamboo or rattan with high durability. Each bamboo section is carefully split and shaped before being assembled into a wheel frame. Bamboo tubes are attached to the wheel rims to draw water. The entire system operates based on natural water power, without using electricity or fuel. In the past, waterwheels were connected entirely by rattan or bamboo ropes. Nowadays, to increase durability against rain and floods, some people add steel wire or bearings to the rotating shaft, but the basic shape and operating principle remain the same.

The waterwheels in Nong Lanh village, Long He commune, bring water from the stream to irrigate the rice fields.

Ms. Ca Thi Ngoan added: "In some years with heavy rains and floods, the waterwheels are swept away by the water overnight. But afterwards, the villagers work together to rebuild them, not only to bring water to the fields but also so that future generations will understand how their ancestors did it and cherish the cultural traditions of their people."

Waterwheels are one of the distinctive cultural features of the Thai ethnic group that need to be preserved. Lo Van Tuong, Secretary of the Long He Commune Youth Union, said: "Youth Union members often record beautiful images and produce short videos about waterwheels and the landscape of their homeland to post on social media platforms. This helps educate the younger generation about traditions, spreads the image of the homeland, attracts tourists, and promotes the development of local community tourism."

The lives of the Thai ethnic minority people in Long He commune are closely tied to rice cultivation.

Today, with the attention and investment of the State, the irrigation system in Long He commune is becoming increasingly complete. Mr. Pham Van Cau, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Long He commune, said: Although the irrigation system basically meets the needs of rice production, the people still maintain and preserve the traditional waterwheels, contributing to creating a distinctive local landscape and a beautiful feature that needs to be preserved and promoted.

Over time, the waterwheels along the Nặm É river have continued to turn rhythmically, contributing to irrigating the fields and preserving the unique traditional cultural identity of the Thái ethnic people in Long Hẹ commune.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/du-lich/giu-nhip-quay-con-nuoc-ben-dong-nam-e-kVg31Vxvg.html