Kha Cuu preserves the beauty of Muong culture.

In Kha Cuu commune, Thanh Son district, 86% of the population are ethnic Muong people. Along with their language, clothing, cuisine , and tools, their folk performing arts and other unique cultural values ​​have created a distinct cultural identity. The tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Muong people here has been and is being preserved, promoted in daily life, and passed on to future generations.

The Muong people participate in gong and drum performances next to their traditional stilt houses.

Along with the unique cultural features preserved through generations, and the successful implementation of the "Inventory, Collection, Preservation, and Promotion of the Cultural Identity of the Muong Ethnic Group in the period 2017-2020, with a vision to 2025" project and the "Continuing the work of preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the Muong and other ethnic minorities in Thanh Son district in the period 2021-2025" project, many household items and labor tools of the Muong people in Kha Cuu have been collected and preserved. In addition, Muong ethnic cultural clubs have been established and operate effectively, contributing significantly to preserving and promoting the ethnic cultural identity.

Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Ha, Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee and Deputy Head of the Muong Ethnic Culture Club in Kha Cuu commune, shared: Currently, the commune has 15 Muong and other ethnic culture clubs with over 200 members, including 14 clubs in residential areas. Members of the Muong ethnic culture clubs are active participants in mobilizing people to preserve their ethnic cultural identity. The Muong ethnic culture clubs in the commune are operating effectively, contributing to preserving and promoting the Muong ethnic cultural identity, and at the same time creating a highlight for Kha Cuu to attract tourists .

The looms in the Muong Cultural Space at Chuoi village.

Besides focusing on developing their family economy , the people of Khả Cửu also prioritize preserving traditional cultural values, including: maintaining everyday household items such as baskets, containers, rice steamers, rice mortars, and harvesting tools for upland rice... In particular, the cuisine of the Mường people in general, and the Mường people of Khả Cửu in particular, is very diverse and rich, known for dishes like five-colored sticky rice, bamboo-cooked rice, bamboo shoots, steamed vegetables, and grilled stream fish, all while retaining their unique flavors and characteristics.

In many residential areas, the "Duong" drum is still preserved – an ancient household item used by the Muong people for pounding rice in their fields. Today, the "Duong" drum has been transformed into a traditional musical instrument, used in daily life, especially during festivals, holidays, or important events in the village, and during celebrations.

The five-colored sticky rice dish is created by the skillful hands of the Muong Kha Cuu women.

In 2023, a traditional stilt house of the Muong ethnic group was erected at the commune's People's Committee office, with funding from the government and contributions from the local people. Gongs, drums, and many other traditional items were brought in and preserved for display in this traditional stilt house. Beside the stilt house, members of the Muong Ethnic Culture Club often perform folk songs, gong music, drumming, and other traditional crafts during festivals and holidays.

Thanh Son District is focusing on developing a community-based tourism model in Kha Cuu commune, linked to the preservation and promotion of the Muong ethnic group's cultural identity. The image of highland villages with waterwheels and traditional stilt houses, intertwined with the cultural space of the Muong people in the households of Kha Cuu, is an advantage for the district in choosing to invest in building a community-based tourism model. The beauty of Muong culture in Kha Cuu has attracted many tourists to visit, experience, and learn about it.

In particular, the stilt houses, waterwheels, kitchens with sunlight filtering through bamboo walls, and Muong women preparing five-colored sticky rice have attracted numerous photographers from all over the country and hundreds of photographers from India, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and other countries to capture images preserving the beauty of Muong culture in Kha Cuu. This contributes to promoting Thanh Son tourism and also motivates the people of Kha Cuu to love and preserve their Muong cultural identity, multiplying the unique values ​​in community tourism development.

Phuong Thanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/kha-cuu-giu-gin-net-dep-van-hoa-muong-221001.htm