Mong people predict weather from bon bo fruit

(Baonghean.vn) - If the Thai people rely on the palm season to predict the weather, the Mong people of Nghe An look at the bon bo fruit that grows naturally in the mountains and forests to know the weather.

According to Mr. Lau Nhia Xong in Nam Khien 1 village (Nam Can commune - Ky Son), from ancient times, Mong ancestors passed down to each other that if you want to know whether the weather is rainy or sunny, you just need to look at the fruit of the bon bo tree that grows naturally in the forest. This is a type of tree that lives in high mountainous areas, suitable for cold climates, but not every year they produce the same fruit season.

Bon bo tree is a medicinal plant that lives in high mountainous areas. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Nhia Xong “revealed”: If you see a bon bo tree bearing fruit and growing thickly from top to bottom, that year will definitely have heavy rain. On the contrary, if they bear fruit thickly at both ends but there is a gap in the middle, the weather will be hot and sunny. When this type of tree bears fruit evenly but not thickly, the weather will be favorable, with mild rain and sunshine, and a good harvest.

People harvest bon bo fruit. Photo: Lu Phu

According to the experience of this village elder, in the last bon bo season, every tree bore dense fruit. Therefore, this year the heavy rains will certainly occur continuously and last longer than previous years. “With the weather this year, if any household grows rice in low-lying areas, they will not have enough rice to eat because of flooding. Houses living next to streams must also be on guard against flash floods that may occur unexpectedly,” said Mr. Lau Nhia Xong.

Boiling bon bo fruit before drying for sale. Photo: Dao Tho

Thanks to these ways of viewing the weather, the Mong people have been proactive in doing business and production and avoiding unfortunate losses from floods.

Dao Tho