Lesson 5: Muong Choong

(Baonghean) - Located between Muong Qua and Muong Chieng Ngam, Muong Choong is one of the large Muong areas in the western part of Nghe An province. Muong Choong stretches from Chau Ly commune to Bac Son, Nam Son, and part of Chau Dinh commune in Quy Hop district today...

History has proven that the Muong Choong area played a very special role in the Lam Son Uprising (1418-1427). This land was where the rebels stopped to recruit soldiers and gather provisions for the series of battles against the Ming army in western Nghe An. For generations, the people of Muong Choong have told their children stories about the founding of the village and the village, saying that "Choong" in the Thai language means respecting people and being hospitable. During their stay here, moved by the hospitality and contributions of the villagers, the Lam Son rebels named this land Muong Choong. Stories of patriotism and love for their village, such as "The Story of Father Lat and Father Loi," "The Story of Nang Phom Hom," and "The Story of Pu Canh Ve," have been passed down for hundreds of years, deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Muong Choong.

Beyond its historical landmarks and stories, Muong Choong also boasts a sacred temple connected to this particular period of history. This is the Choong Temple, situated atop Pu Den Mountain – the center of the Muong. The temple is dedicated to Nang Phom Hom, a fragrant-haired woman of the Thai ethnic group who played a significant role in gathering provisions to feed the army, assisting the Lam Son rebels in their fight against the enemy. Research reveals that the Choong Temple has had a profound influence on the cultural life of the land and people of Muong Choong. From ancient times, the people of Muong Choong have assigned the Vi clan to handle the rituals at the temple, the Luong clan to guard it, and the Lo clan to prepare the offerings…

Two centuries-old muỗm trees stand in the center of Mường Choọng.

The inhabitants of Choọng village are primarily of the Thái ethnic group, residing along the Nậm Choọng river and its tributaries. Notably, many villages are inhabited solely by a single clan, such as Vi village in Bắc Sơn, where only the Vi clan resides, and Hiêng village (Bắc Sơn), where the Lương clan has lived together for generations. Since 1968, Choọng village has seen the arrival of Kinh households from Hưng Nguyên and Nghi Lộc districts, contributing to the new economic development. However, cultural exchange between the Kinh and Thái ethnic groups has existed since very early times, exemplified by the fact that all rituals at the Choọng temple are performed in the Kinh language.

In the past, Muong Choong had two main festivals annually: the Luc Ngoat Festival and the Tet Nien Festival. The Luc Ngoat Festival was held on the 15th and 16th of the 6th lunar month. Starting at 2 PM on the 15th of the 6th lunar month, the procession of the sacred palanquin began, crossing the Nam Choong river to the Muong Choong communal house (the former Muong Choong communal house no longer exists; its former location was next to old muom trees at the end of Choong village today). Local dignitaries, Muong Choong residents, and visitors from all over participated in the procession. At 9 AM on the 16th of the 6th lunar month, the palanquin was carried back to the Choong temple in a solemn atmosphere. The chief and assistant priests performed the ritual at the Choong temple, praying for favorable weather, peace in the village, and abundant harvests. We pray that those in positions of authority will have clear minds and strong willpower to diligently manage the affairs of the village and community; that the villagers will enjoy good health, produce abundant wealth, and that their children will excel in their studies…

The year-end ceremony is held at Choọng Temple on the 25th day of the 12th lunar month every year. Unlike the 6th lunar month ceremony, the year-end ceremony does not include a procession of the sacred palanquin to the communal house or the slaughter of buffalo. The offerings for the year-end ceremony consist of dishes made from fish, meat, chicken eggs, and, of course, sticky rice cakes. The steamed sticky rice is poured into molds made from short bamboo tubes, then covered with jackfruit leaves to form evenly round cakes, which are then offered to the altar.

The geographical location of Choọng Mường plays a very special role in the western part of Nghe An province. Historically, Choọng Mường was a stopping point for the Lam Son rebels on their journey to liberate the western region. Today, it is traversed by National Highway 48C, running along the Nam Choọng River, connecting Chiêng Ngam and Khủn Tinh Mường with Quạ and Lống Mường. Historically, the Kinh and Thai ethnic groups fought side-by-side against foreign invaders. Today, this tradition is being nurtured, shaping the character and people of Choọng Mường: a deep love for their homeland and beautiful landscape; diligence, hard work, respect for others, hospitality, and a simple, genuine sincerity, like a grain of rice or a potato.

Despite adapting to integration, the people of Choong village always know how to separate the good from the bad, preserving the cultural beauty passed down through generations. Surveys show that Choong is a "drug-free" area. Currently, no cases of drug trafficking, possession, or use have been detected among residents of Chau Ly, Nam Son, and Bac Son communes. The majority of the Thai ethnic people in Choong village still maintain their traditional stilt houses; areas such as Vi village (Bac Son), Choong village (Chau Ly), and Quang village (Nam Son) are known as the "land of stilt houses." Besides the unique cultural identity of each ethnic group, the cultural exchange between the Kinh and Thai ethnic groups has also shaped and created valuable cultural features in this land!

Cao Duy Thai