Springtime traditions preserve the soul of culture.

BAC NINH - Bac Ninh has long been known as a rich and ancient land, home to hundreds of traditional craft villages and thousands of unique folk festivals. Within this cultural space, a wealth of folk games has been formed and preserved. These games are not only connected to the community's religious rituals but also bring joy, exhilaration, and mental relaxation to the people.

Community engagement

Amidst the vibrant spring days, the vast spring sky, and the intoxicating "spring spirit" of the Kinh Bac villages in Bac Ninh , from the elderly to the young, from handsome men to elegant women, everyone eagerly immerses themselves in the festive atmosphere, reveling in the refined and poetic spring festivities... "Men compete in strength, women compete in gentleness," these spring games showcase the physical prowess of men and the flexibility and skill of women.

The children enjoyed the experience of playing blindfolded duck catching.

When talking about spring festivities in Bac Ninh, one cannot fail to mention "swinging," also known as "fairy swing," "spring swing," or "spring swing." Almost every village festival has a swing towering in an open space. Before Tet (Lunar New Year), villagers select sturdy, old bamboo poles, burying them deep in the ground to serve as supports. The tops of the bamboo poles are bent and bundled together, tied with rope, and a colorful five-colored flag is hung from the top, fluttering in the breeze.

During the festival, young men and women step onto the swing, swaying to the rhythm, soaring high into the air – “Swaying like a swing/ The more you sway, the more flexible you become, the more you swing, the softer you get.” More than just a game, swinging is also an expression of fertility beliefs, a wish for abundant harvests and flourishing nature. The movements of swinging are like the rhythm of the earth and sky, representing the connection between humanity and the universe. The swing is also a place of rendezvous, witnessing countless declarations of love and vows from young men and women, from their shy first encounters to their eventual marriage.

More than just entertainment, each spring game is a layer of cultural sediment, blending tangible and intangible values. Each game is both a product of characteristic physical activity and an expression of the spirit of labor and production, reflecting conceptions of the universe and human life, containing aesthetic ideas and providing entertainment for the community. Folk games in Bac Ninh have become an indispensable part of springtime life, a way of expressing community consciousness, a way for people to convey their hopes and gratitude to their ancestors. Games like boat racing and wrestling along the banks of the Cau River, the traditional drum dance in Thi Cau; the firecracker procession in Dong Ky or wrestling in Que Vo… are associated with honoring the contributions of their forefathers. Other games such as chess, card games like Tam Cuc, To Tom Diem, pigeon flying, flower and bonsai cultivation, and miniature landscapes… lead people to a tranquil and intellectual space to find peace and serenity. Amidst the hustle and bustle of work, these hobbies help people find balance, nurture their souls, and connect with the harmonious beauty of nature and human life.

Village festivals in the Kinh Bac region are incomplete without traditional folk games such as tug-of-war, wrestling, chess, human chess, swinging, water puppetry, cockfighting, blindfolded pot smashing, and catching eels in jars... Amidst the cheers and the rhythmic drumming, people not only compete in strength and skill but also recreate memories of land reclamation and national defense, fostering a spirit of chivalry and pride in their homeland.

Recreating traditional folk games

With a passion for preserving and organizing traditional folk games during village festivals, artisan Nguyen Thanh Lai, Head of the Luy Lau Water Puppet Troupe (Dong Ngu residential area, Song Lieu ward), shared: “Traditional games are gradually fading away with the pace of modern life. Therefore, we always hope to have more opportunities to revive and organize games to help the community, especially the younger generation, experience and deeply appreciate cultural values. Folk games not only bring people moments of relaxation with refreshing laughter but also contribute to nurturing and enriching traditional identity in life today and in the future.”

While the lowlands offer traditional games like swinging, card games, wrestling, chess, and human chess, the ethnic minorities in the highlands also boast unique folk games such as throwing the ball, stick pushing, and blindfolded pig catching. Particularly noteworthy is the vibrant lion-cat dance, which is gradually being revived after a long absence. Ma Van Pu, a Nung ethnic minority from Bien Dong commune, shared his experience participating in the Sloong Hao festival in Tan Son commune for the first time with his dance troupe: "The lion-cat dance not only showcases the martial spirit of the mountain people but also symbolizes good fortune and happiness, often held at the beginning of the year. The lion-cat mascot protects the village, allowing people to confidently cultivate crops, produce, and build a prosperous life. A lion-cat dance performance lasts about 7-10 minutes with 6-8 participants, but requires regular practice to maintain strength and skillful techniques."

Like a "living museum" of distinctive cultural values ​​passed down through centuries, folk games vividly reflect the spiritual life of all strata of society, highlighting the power of unity and expressing the people's mindset and aspirations.

Today, in the digital age, with the proliferation of modern forms of entertainment, many traditional folk games are at risk of disappearing. The rules and methods of play may have been simplified or altered. However, as long as the sound of drums still resonates at village festivals, folk games will continue to have an environment for performance and practice. Even though the people of Kinh Bac today have entered a life of deep international integration, they still cherish and preserve these unique spring games, which bring joy, strengthen community bonds, and awaken pride in their homeland, safeguarding and protecting the enduring beauty of the Vietnamese spirit.

Thanh Lam

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/thu-choi-xuan-giu-hon-van-hoa-postid441793.bbg