U80 woman preserves Muong culture in the homeland

Cu Dong ( Phu Tho ) is a mountainous commune with many ethnic minorities living together, mainly Muong and Dao people.

In recent years, the work of preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of ethnic minorities in the area has achieved positive results, contributing to honoring the cultural values of the community and strengthening and consolidating the great national unity bloc.

Ms. Dinh Thi Tam, born in 1954 (Muong ethnic group, Cu Dong commune) was previously a teacher, studied at Lap Thach Pedagogical University (1972-1974), then worked in local education and culture for many years.

Retired in 2009, she continued to participate in the commune's front work until 2017. During her retirement, she focused on collecting artifacts related to the culture and life of the ancient Muong people. She spent money to build a traditional house to store them and formed a club to exchange and convey Muong culture to the next generations.

Initially, the club had 19 members, both male and female, of all ages. The oldest was over 70, but they all shared a passion for playing gongs, singing lullabies, singing vi, and singing in response in the Muong language. Ms. Dinh Thi Tam printed the materials herself and practiced every week.

On Fridays, they sing Muong songs, and on Sundays they switch to xoan, cheo, and folk songs from other regions. “No one has to contribute anything, they just come together because of their love for culture,” she confided.

Ms. Dinh Thi Tam said that at first, she knocked on every door to ask for old mills, water mortars, and Muong skirts, asked workers to re-make props, and even used her personal savings to build a warehouse to store and entertain the film crew when they came to film.

“Sometimes my children and grandchildren don’t understand and ask me why I keep doing work that no one pays me for. But I feel guilty if I don’t do it,” she said.

From the original 40-50 props, up to now, her club has owned more than 200 artifacts, all of which are items closely associated with the life and culture of the ancient Muong people, restored and preserved with all the enthusiasm of the elderly women in the village.

The ancient Muong people's household items were stored and marked by Mrs. Tam.

Familiar songs and lyrics of the Muong ethnic group are also on the list of souvenirs collected and recorded by Ms. Tam.

Mrs. Tam shared that since she was 14 years old, she has looked after her younger sibling and sung lullabies to put him to sleep.

"My mother also sang lullabies in Muong language. Hearing them over and over again became familiar, then love. Those melodies are deeply ingrained in my subconscious, following me throughout my life, and every time I sing those lullabies, my emotions surge like the old days when I stood next to my baby's hammock," Ms. Tam confided.

Every weekend evening or during summer vacation, Ms. Tam and members of the area's folk culture and arts club teach the Muong language, vi songs, rang songs, and dialogues... to the next generations.

In 2024, she was recognized as one of the outstanding elderly women nationwide. Previously, Ms. Tam received a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Women's Union, the Phu Tho Provincial Elderly Association, and was honored to meet the President and receive a souvenir at the Office of the President .

However, what makes Ms. Dinh Thi Tam most proud is not those awards, but the change in the community.

“Many young people now greet each other in Muong. There are 4-year-old children who know some songs by heart. That is the most encouraging sign,” Ms. Tam shared.

vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-u80-luu-giu-van-hoa-muong-tren-dat-to-post649418.html