In Met village, Ky Phu commune, 100% of the residents are Muong ethnic people. In Met village, it's not difficult to find people who can sing traditional love songs. However, to organize these activities systematically, those who love Muong culture in the area have joined clubs established by the Women's Association of the commune and the Women's Associations of the villages, such as: the Muong singing club, the traditional dance club, or the folk dance and sports club…
Currently, Ky Phu commune has 13 villages, and the Women's Association has established 10 ethnic cultural and artistic clubs. With specific operating regulations, members, including middle-aged and elderly women, participate in clubs for singing, dancing, or practicing sports according to their individual strengths.
With her agility and skill, Mrs. Bui Thi Sen is renowned in the region for her expertise in fishing with a raft. Now nearly 70 years old, Mrs. Sen's eyes light up with joy as she recalls her younger days. She says that in the past, when life was difficult for the villagers, traditional ethnic culture became an indispensable source of spiritual nourishment, a driving force, a refreshing breeze that eased hardship. In the spring, everyone would arrange their household chores to go fishing with a raft together, thus beginning a new year filled with plans and worries.
When the village established a raft fishing club, Ms. Sen became one of the core members, not only inspiring people to participate but also passing on her experience and passion to the younger generation.
"At 70 years old, I no longer have the agility and speed to play well. Even so, I still participate in the club. My wish is to contribute a small part to spreading love for our national culture to future generations," said Mrs. Sen.
Cuc Phuong commune currently has over 80% of its population belonging to the Muong ethnic group. The distinctive cultural features of the Muong people are expressed through their clothing, language, festivals, and songs. Being Muong, their adoption of their ancestors' traditional culture is natural. They hear it so often that it becomes familiar, absorbed, and loved without them even realizing it. By the fire in their stilt houses, the sweet and meaningful love songs and folk songs of their ancestors have ignited a love for their identity and passed it down through generations.
Ms. Dinh Thi Tuyet, from Bai Ca village, is very passionate about and committed to preserving the traditional Muong courtship songs. Ms. Tuyet says that for a long time, those who love traditional culture and arts in the villages have formed performing arts groups and teams. This is partly to participate in performances, enrich their own spiritual lives and those of their community, and, more importantly, to collectively teach the younger generation the traditional cultural values and unique folk games of their ethnic group.
According to Ms. Tuyet, love and passion for one's ethnic culture don't come naturally, nor do they suddenly disappear. It's like a wellspring, silently flowing through community life if truly and persistently nurtured. The role of adults is to guide and teach so that their children and grandchildren are not unfamiliar with traditional culture. Every week, during the village's cultural performance group meetings, Ms. Tuyet enthusiastically sings and actively teaches.
"The Muong people have many distinctive cultural features. Their love songs, such as 'rang xuong' and 'bo meng', are often sung at festivals, Tet (Lunar New Year), local events, and performed for tourists who want to experience Muong ethnic culture. Many tourists are delighted from the first listen. These songs also spark curiosity and a desire to learn more about the unique cultural characteristics of the Muong people..." - Ms. Tuyet said.
Nho Quan is the only mountainous district in the province, with 7 communes including Cuc Phuong, Ky Phu, Phu Long, Quang Lac, Yen Quang, Van Phuong, Thach Binh and 4 villages in Xich Tho and Phu Son communes recognized as ethnic minority and mountainous areas, with nearly 29,000 people belonging to ethnic minorities, mainly the Muong ethnic group.
Over the years, to contribute to the restoration and promotion of national cultural identity, our province has issued many plans and projects to preserve, restore, and promote some beautiful aspects of Muong ethnic culture; and to preserve the gong culture of the Muong ethnic group.
In 2022, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan 34 on "Preserving and promoting the value of folk songs, folk dances, and folk music of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development in the period 2022-2030" to preserve, disseminate, and promote the value of traditional folk songs, folk dances, and folk music of the Muong ethnic group as a distinctive cultural tourism product, contributing to promoting economic , cultural, and social development in the locality.
Based on that, many specific and practical activities have been implemented by the province and districts, such as: providing financial support to restore some traditional stilt houses of the Muong people; purchasing additional tools such as gongs, cymbals, and crossbows; and organizing cultural festivals… to give people more opportunities to practice their ancient culture.
Mr. Dinh Van Xuan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cuc Phuong commune, shared: "Along with the efforts of the province and the district, Cuc Phuong commune has also made many efforts to preserve the unique features of the Muong ethnic group's culture. In reality, most traditional folk cultural activities are passed down through generations via oral tradition. Therefore, if we do not promote community cultural activities and attract active participants on a regular basis, these values will inevitably face the risk of fading away."
The establishment of ethnic cultural and artistic clubs by the Women's Association of the commune is of great significance. By participating in these clubs, members actively interact, learn, and exchange experiences; explore the cultural identity of different regions from clubs within and outside the province; collect, compile, and preserve folk dances, love songs, and traditional rituals; and participate in guiding and teaching the younger generation about the traditional values of their homeland.
Not only do these women attract members to participate, but they are also active agents in promoting and spreading love, responsibility, and awareness of cultural preservation to the community, working together to preserve and promote the cultural identity of their nation.
Dao Hang - Minh Quang
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