Unique ancient rice mill of the Mong people
(Baonghean.vn) - The collective rice mill of Pieng Vai village, My Ly commune, Ky Son district is considered one of the unique ancient objects remaining of the Mong people here.
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| Pieng Vai is a Mong ethnic minority village, where more than 40 households live. Up to now, the village still has no electricity grid, however, rice mills powered by engines have replaced the hand mills. Photo: Ho Phuong |
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| What is special about Pieng Vai village is the collective rice mill. This huge mill is placed on a hut and built in the middle of the village. All villagers share this mill to grind rice. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| According to Mr. Lau Xay Hu - 79 years old in Pieng Vai village, he has seen this mortar since he was a child. "The hut has been rebuilt many times but the mortar is still intact" - Mr. Hu added. Photo: Ho Phuong |
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| The handle on the push rod is designed to be long so that 2 to 3 people can "operate" the mill more smoothly. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| As for the stone part, the small plate has a diameter of 60cm, the large plate 80cm, the total height of the two stone plates is more than 50cm. These two grinding trays were carved by the people from stone slabs taken from Pieng Vai mountain. According to information circulated in Pieng Vai village, to make this mortar, more than 5 men in the village had to work hard for nearly a week to complete it. Photo: Ho Phuong |
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| Between the two stone slabs are grooves created so that the milled rice can flow down to the trough at the bottom of the mortar. Photo: Ho Phuong |
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| The bottom of the mortar is a large wooden trough. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| The hut where the mortar is placed is also built like a granary. This comes from the custom of the Mong people and avoids damage from livestock and wild animals. Photo: Dao Tho |
