The H'Mông custom of pounding rice cakes

The tradition of making sticky rice cakes (Bánh Dày) among the H'Mông people in Sơn La is a unique and distinctive cultural feature. These cakes are not only used for ancestor worship, festivals, and weddings, but also as a treat for guests and a gift for visitors.

To learn about this custom, join author Do Thu Quyen on a visit to the H'Mong ethnic community in Son La to experience the process of making sticky rice cakes, through the photo series "The Custom of Pounding Sticky Rice Cakes of the H'Mong People". The photo series was submitted by the author to the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest , organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

The people who pound the rice for the steamed rice cakes are always strong, agile Hmong men. Two people pound at a time, and when they get tired, they pass the task to two others. The more thoroughly they pound, the more chewy, delicious, and long-lasting the resulting rice cakes will be. The shaping of the rice cakes requires the skillful hands of the women.

The Hmong people's sticky rice cakes are made with great care, the main ingredient being fragrant and sticky upland glutinous rice. Once the rice is selected, it is washed thoroughly and soaked in warm water for about 12 hours. After draining, it is placed in a wooden steamer to cook. This ensures that the cooked rice retains its fragrant aroma, is sticky, and doesn't become mushy.

The Hmong people believe that the two round rice cakes symbolize the moon and the sun, the source of humankind and all living things. The thoughts, hopes, and wishes of children and grandchildren for the new year are entrusted to these round rice cakes and offered to their ancestors. The rice cake also symbolizes the love and unwavering loyalty of Hmong men and women.

Once the sticky rice is pounded, the women skillfully shape it into beautiful, round cakes, resembling the moon and sun, as in the legend. For the Hmong people, sticky rice cakes are not only a familiar food but also hold a special place in their spiritual life. When offering sticky rice cakes to ancestors, two cakes must be offered. The distinguishing feature of the sticky rice cakes offered is that they have no filling inside and no spices are used.

Sticky rice cakes are not only a dish served to guests but also a gift for visitors. Even after a long time, the cakes remain soft and fragrant. When eaten, they are usually grilled over charcoal or cut into small pieces and fried in lard until puffed up, creating an appealing aroma.

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