Preserving cultural identity in Ky Son

(Baonghean) -When the fog was still thick and heavy on every treetop, branch, and road, the people of Na Cang village (Na Ngoi commune) excitedly went to watch the bullfighting festival. This is an indispensable traditional folk game in the cultural life of the Mong people in Ky Son, expressing the desire for prosperity and fullness of the people in the mountainous region. Along with the bullfighting festival, the people here also preserve the typical cultural features of the Mong people such as language, costumes, living habits, house architecture...

We arrived at Huoi Tho village, Huu Kiem commune, the residence of the Khmu people on an early spring day, the sound of the flute and music filled the whole village. The young and old, men and women all gathered at the community cultural house to have fun, dance and sing. Next to the warm jar of rice wine, they were absorbed in the lively Tom singing. The old people with gray hair still walked rhythmically to the gong beat, smiling, showing off their shiny black teeth. The visitors from afar all immersed themselves in the bustling atmosphere to deeply feel the unique culture of the Khmu people here.

Saying goodbye to Huoi Tho village when the sound of gongs had not yet completely ended, we joined in the folk games of the Thai ethnic people in Na village, Huu Lap commune such as throwing con, pushing sticks, shooting crossbows... The Thai girls were gentle and graceful in the xoe dance and had smooth, deep voices in the bap and nhuon dances... These soft, flexible hands in each rhythm are also the hands that shuttle and weave day and night. The brocade weaving profession has become a deeply ingrained cultural trait passed down from generation to generation. The women of Na village have established a brocade weaving cooperative with more than 60 participating members. With the brocade weaving profession, many families here have escaped poverty, at the same time contributing to preserving the traditional culture of their people.

Ky Son district currently has 5 ethnic groups living together, including: Mong, Kho Mu, Thai, Kinh and Hoa. Each ethnic group has different customs, practices and production traditions, creating a diversity and richness of cultural colors. Determining that culture is the foundation of economic development, over the years, the authorities at all levels have paid attention to and focused on improving the quality of spiritual life for the people. In particular, it is necessary to mention the restoration of Pu Nha Thau Temple Festival, held in early spring in accordance with traditional costumes, civilized, orderly, imbued with identity, meeting the spiritual needs of ethnic people. In 2009, Pu Nha Thau Temple was recognized by Nghe An Provincial People's Committee as a historical - cultural relic and Pu Nha Thau Temple Festival became a typical cultural feature of ethnic people in Ky Son district.

Procession at Pu Nha Thau Temple.

In addition to the Pu Nha Thau Temple Festival, in recent years, Ky Son district has also organized the Ban Ban Ban Ban Temple Festival in Ca Ta commune to serve the spiritual life of the people. Currently, the temple has been restored to a rather majestic scale with more than 400 million VND from socialized capital.

Talking to us, Mr. Moong Thai Nhi - Head of the Culture Department of Ky Son district, said: Recently, the District People's Committee has coordinated with the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism to conduct surveys and inventory the system of intangible cultural heritage in the villages in the area; research and restore the ancient wedding of the Khmu people in Huoi Tho village (Huu Kiem), maintain the buffalo fighting festival and the Mong ethnic cultural festival in the communes of Dooc May, Muong Long, Huoi Tu.

Organize the restoration of the Xang Khan Festival in Na village, Huu Lap commune; at the same time, coordinate with the Institute of Music to organize 2 classes to teach music, folk dance and traditional musical instrument performance for 30 Khmu students, 30 Mong students; research and restore some cultural characteristics of the Khmu ethnic group in Huoi Tho village, Huu Kiem commune and the Mong ethnic group in Son Ha village, Ca Ta commune; organize classes to teach traditional crafts such as brocade weaving, weaving, making musical instruments, forging, etc.

Mr. Moong Thai Nhi added: In addition to preserving cultural values, Ky Son district also aims to promote the cultural identity of ethnic groups, creating momentum for socio-economic development. In the coming time, the district will continue to implement the plan to restore, embellish and manage historical relics and scenic spots well to link cultural development with tourism, contributing to increasing income, eliminating hunger and reducing poverty.

Nguyen Le