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| Throwing the ball is an indispensable game in the spring festival of the Nung Phan Slinh people in Quang Son commune. |
In this land where many ethnic groups such as the Kinh, Tay, Nung, Dao, San Diu, and San Chay converge, each community carries its own unique cultural nuances, but all share a spirit of community bonding and the joy of spring through traditional folk games. These are not just celebrations at the beginning of the year, but also places where cultural memories are awakened, and where ethnic identities are preserved and passed down through generations.
Amidst the vibrant festival atmosphere, the sight of young men and women striding confidently on simple bamboo stilts always leaves a lasting impression.
Bamboo and reed stalks, carefully selected from home gardens and fields, are transformed by the skillful hands of the locals into props for spring games. Each step on the stilts is a harmonious blend of strength, agility, and courage, connecting people with the natural beauty of the mountains and forests. The sound of the stilts hitting the ground, along with the cheers and shouts of encouragement, makes the spring atmosphere in the highlands even more vibrant and warm.
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| Stilt walking games are usually held in a large open space. |
While stilt walking brings excitement and liveliness, playing O An Quan (a traditional Vietnamese board game) takes people back to the peaceful and familiar moments of the countryside. All you need is a yard, a few small pebbles, custard apple seeds, lychee seeds, or stones gathered from the stream, and the game can begin.
The play areas marked with bamboo sticks on village courtyards and verandas are not only places where children practice their thinking and calculation skills, but also spaces for bonding, where the innocent laughter of childhood blends with the joy of family reunions during Tet, evoking simple yet enduring values.
For the ethnic minorities in the highlands, throwing the ball is an indispensable highlight of their spring festivals. The ball is made from colorful pieces of cloth, stuffed with rice, cotton, or seeds – items closely associated with agricultural production. When the ball is tossed high into the air, flying through the circle on the ceremonial pole in the middle of the festival yard, it's not just a game, but also a message conveying hopes for a bountiful harvest, favorable weather, and a prosperous and peaceful life.
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| Children in Thai Hai village love the game of O An Quan (a traditional Vietnamese board game). |
From bamboo stilts, small pebbles, scraps of cloth to rice grains and seeds, all are familiar objects of daily life. Through the skillful hands and ingenuity of people, they become cultural materials, reflecting the working lifestyle, creative thinking, and harmonious relationship between humans and nature. It is this simplicity that gives enduring vitality to the folk games of the ethnic groups of Thai Nguyen .
Beyond their entertainment value, folk games also serve as a strong bond connecting members of the community. During festivals, harvest seasons, or village gatherings, everyone participates, sharing joy and laughter, thereby bridging age gaps and social status differences. From elders passing on experience and rules to the younger generation, folk games become an environment for nurturing solidarity, community spirit, and contributing to the preservation and dissemination of traditional cultural values within the community.
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| The game of walking on a bamboo bridge to balance is also a common feature in spring festivals. |
In modern life, with the emergence of many new forms of entertainment, restoring and maintaining traditional folk games during the Lunar New Year becomes even more meaningful. Many localities in the province have proactively incorporated folk games into spring festivals, cultural events, and community tourism activities, creating opportunities for the younger generation to experience, appreciate, and further cherish the traditional cultural values of their homeland.
As Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives and spring returns, amidst the vibrant colors of the mountains and forests, traditional folk games with simple, familiar objects quietly ignite the spirit of spring in the villages. This is not only a source of joy, but also a strong bond connecting the community, linking the present with the past, so that the national cultural identity continues to be preserved and spread.
In those moments, each person feels as if they are transported back to their childhood through familiar folk games, allowing them to feel the spring within their hearts suddenly become more vibrant, warm, and complete...
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202602/xuan-ve-trong-tro-choi-dan-gian-1f32191/
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