The person who "keeps the soul" of Muong culture through self-study and passion for research

When mentioning people who study Muong ethnic culture in Vietnam, everyone knows Mr. Bui Huy Vong in Bung Coi hamlet, Huong Nhuong commune, Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province (old), now Lac Son commune, Phu Tho province. Without going through any formal school, but with passion, he self-studied and trained himself to become a typical face in the study of Muong culture.

Persistent self-study, passionate about research

In 1985, when he graduated from high school and turned 18, Bui Huy Vong joined the army and was assigned to Lao Cai to guard the border. Three years in the army trained him in discipline, perseverance and the spirit of overcoming difficulties. After being discharged from the army and returning to his hometown, he attached himself to the fields and the Muong community. In 1999, while working as an employee at the commune cultural post office , he "fell in love" with the path of collecting and researching Muong culture.

Mr. Bui Huy Vong (far left) diligently visits Muong villages to collect and research Muong culture.

Not having the conditions to go to university, he decided to self-study to equip himself with knowledge, skills, thinking methods, and research in social sciences and humanities. He bought a computer, a small camera, and learned how to use it; connected to the internet to learn English and Chinese; read books by his predecessors...

From those first steps, he began his field trips. For over 26 years, his feet have wandered throughout Muong villages in Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, meeting artisans, shamans, and sorcerers... to collect documents, research customs, festivals, folk games, and Muong mo-shaped ...

He participated in collecting, researching, and restoring Muong cultural heritages; notably festivals such as Dinh Khenh, Du Voi, Dinh Khoi, Dinh Bang, and Truong Kha Temple in the Muong Vang region. He participated in writing scientific documents on restoring Muong folk games and giving feedback at provincial scientific councils.

With his knowledge and prestige, he was also invited to participate in many ministerial and provincial level scientific topics such as: "Mo Muong Performing Arts", "Building Percussion Sets, Compiling Teaching and Learning Materials for Muong in Hoa Binh Province", "Vietnamese - Muong Dictionary", "Muong Dictionary" chaired by the Institute of Linguistics; participating in writing "Hoa Binh Geography" and a number of other scientific topics.

Mr. Bui Huy Vong met with artisans to collect Muong folk songs.

Preserving and spreading the "treasure" of the Muong ethnic group

Since 2013, Mr. Vong has participated in collecting, recording, filming and restoring nearly 50 Muong folk songs, contributing to the research, preservation and promotion of the good values of Muong culture. In particular, he has contributed to the restoration of Muong folk songs such as: Thuong Rang, Bo meng, hat doi giao duyen. Thanks to that, 9 Muong folk song clubs were established, gathering more than 200 artists.

Not stopping at the village, to spread ethnic culture on digital space and reach the public, especially the youth, he created 3 Youtube channels: VongBui TV, VongBui TV2, Nhip song xu Muong. The channels have attracted more than 60,000 followers, hundreds of millions of views, and stored more than 6,000 videos about Muong culture.

He himself understands that preserving heritage is not only about restoring a festival or a folk song, but also about preserving identity - a "shield" that helps the community "resist" foreign cultures. Therefore, Mr. Vong actively participates in initiating and creating a space to organize Muong folk song exchanges in the community; proposing to link festival restoration with tourism development and destination promotion.

Former Head of the Department of Culture of Lac Son district (old) Dinh The Hung commented: Mr. Vong is a person passionate about Muong culture, has made important contributions to preserving, promoting and spreading unique cultural values.

Self-study and success

As a son of Muong land, studying the culture of his ancestors, persistently overcoming difficulties, he has "reaped" "sweet fruits", highly appreciated by scholars in the field of social sciences and humanities in the country. He has published more than 20 works of collecting and researching on Muong culture. Each book is like a piece of his soul.

With his contributions to Muong ethnic culture, he was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan in the field of folk knowledge by the President and the State Prize for Literature and Arts; the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ethnic Committee awarded him a Certificate of Merit; he was awarded a Certificate of Merit 9 times by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province (formerly) and many other certificates of merit and certificates of merit at other levels.

In addition, he also won more than 20 awards from central and local professional associations. But perhaps for him, the greatest reward is when he sees the Muong people know how to sing folk songs, know the epic De dat - De nuoc, understand Muong mo...

Mr. Bui Huy Vong shared: “As a Muong, in the cradle of ancient Vietnamese culture, I always have to study and improve my knowledge. I have been helped, taught and encouraged by seniors such as: Professor To Ngoc Thanh; cultural researchers Bui Thien, Bui Chi Thanh... Especially the artisans and Muong people - those who preserve and practice the heritage have provided valuable documents. The commitment to participating in folk events has helped me have a deep experience and awareness of Muong culture, contributing to preserving and promoting good cultural values in the new rhythm of life".

In the simple stilt house, next to stacks of books and manuscripts, the sound of typing on the keyboard is still steady. And whenever he has the chance, Mr. Vong travels to Muong villages as a person who "lights and spreads the fire" so that folk songs, Mo songs... will resonate forever.

Cam Le

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nguoi-giu-hon-van-hoa-muong-tu-viec-tu-hoc-dam-me-nghien-cuu-237870.htm