Muong So preserves the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group

As the cradle of the White Thai ethnic group, over the years, people of Muong So commune (Phong Tho district) have continuously preserved, maintained and promoted their identity...

Muong So commune has 1,868 households, 6,600 people with 65% of the population being Thai ethnic people, concentrated in the villages: Vang Pheo, Phieng Danh, Huoi En, Huoi Na... In order to prevent the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group from being lost, especially in the period when cultures are tending to intermingle, the Party Committee and People's Committee of Muong So commune have directed cadres, civil servants, and heads of villages and hamlets to promote propaganda work on the importance of preserving cultural identity in life. Encourage each person to proactively learn about cultural beauty and historical values ​​through books, newspapers, and specialized documents.

The Nang Han Festival has been restored and maintained annually by Muong So commune for many years.

Mr. Bui Quang Lich - Vice Chairman of Muong So Commune People's Committee said: We always encourage people to actively participate in activities to preserve, maintain and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups in general, and the Thai ethnic group in particular. First of all, by participating in village art troupes; annual festival activities; wearing costumes and cooking traditional dishes of ethnic groups regularly. In addition, we also increase the organization of activities during holidays, Tet, and meetings so that art troupes have the opportunity to exchange, learn experiences, spread cultural beauty, so that traditional culture penetrates deeply into the consciousness of each person. Policies for art troupes are fully and promptly paid, creating conditions for art troupes to maintain their activities.

Thanks to that, up to now, people in the commune have actively participated in preserving and promoting the national cultural identity. According to statistics, the whole commune currently has over 30 art troupes, ensuring that each village has 2-3 art troupes, contributing to enriching the spiritual life of the people. People in the commune also maintain wearing com shirts and velvet skirts during holidays and weddings. This enhances the charming beauty of the native Thai girls.

People of Muong So commune participate in reenacting 6 ancient xoe dances.

Traditional occupations of the Thai ethnic group such as: weaving, weaving; making traditional musical instruments such as the Tinh Tau are preserved by the people. Currently, the whole commune has over 10 people who know how to make the Tinh Tau. Many people preserve the weaving and weaving occupations, including: Thung Van Duoc, Nong Van Cuu, Dong Van Mien (all in Vang Pheo village), Deo Thi Hanh (Tay An village)...

Mr. Thung Van Duoc - a resident of Vang Pheo village, Muong So commune said, realizing the importance of preserving the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group, I always propagate and mobilize people in the village, especially children, relatives, and neighbors to preserve it through many specific actions. I myself set an example first, now despite my old age, I still weave baskets, trays, and fishing nets myself... to serve the needs of my family and to teach my children and grandchildren to preserve the craft so it does not fade away.

The Ao Com costume is maintained by the people of Muong So commune to wear during holidays and Tet to enhance the beauty of women.

What is special is that the traditional festivals from Nang Han to Kin Lau Mau Khau are maintained and organized by the commune every year in the second and ninth lunar months with many rich activities, attracting many people and tourists to participate. Typically, the Nang Han festival in 2025 consists of 2 parts, the ceremony part conducts the ritual of worshiping Nang Han, the ritual of getting water from Nang Han spring. The festival part takes place excitingly with the art competition, Muong So beauty contest. Folk games (to ma le, tung con, en cay ...), ancient xoe dances, are recreated.

In daily life, traditional dishes of the Thai ethnic group are regularly cooked by the people. Whenever tourists have a need to order, Tam Nhung restaurant or the villages can cook and serve attentively. Not stopping there, the people preserve the stilt houses (the whole commune still has over 40 stilt houses). Currently, schools in the commune also proactivelyeducate students about the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group in extracurricular activities, outside of class hours; build traditional cultural spaces so that students can learn more easily.

It is the preservation of ethnic cultural identity that has helped Muong So commune effectively build a cultural life. By the end of 2024, 11/11 villages and hamlets of the commune achieved the title of cultural village, 92% of households achieved the title of cultural family. Recently, the Nang Han festival was honored to be recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. Muong So commune is contributing to bringing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU dated February 17, 2021 of the Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee on preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural identity of ethnic groups associated with tourism development in the period of 2021-2025 with a vision to 2030 into life.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/muong-so-giu-gin-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-thai-985777