Muong Lam is only a legend

(Baonghean) - According to legend, Muong Lam was founded by two brothers named Lam To and Lam Nua. The two brothers later led troops to kill each other, causing countless deaths, so many that crows could not peck at them all.

A household leaves the resettlement area to return to their old residence. This is also the old center of Muong Lam. Photo: Huu Vi

Muong Lam used to consist of many Thai villages along the Nam Non River in the communes of Kim Tien, Kim Da, Huu Duong and Huu Khuong (Tuong Duong district). Now only Huu Khuong commune remains. The remaining communes were dissolved due to being submerged under Ban Ve lake after the hydroelectric project was put into use in 2015. The households have moved to resettlement areas in Thanh Chuong and Que Phong districts.

The center of the old Muong was in Xieng Lam village, which used to be the center of Huu Khuong commune. Now Xieng Lam village has also been submerged in the Ban Ve hydroelectric lake.

According to legends and historical records, Muong Lam existed for many centuries in the western region of Nghe An. Currently, there are still groups of people leaving the settlements to return to live in the old village, next to the hydroelectric lake. Mr. Luong Van Tien is one of those people.

The ancient customs of Muong Lam land are still preserved by the indigenous people. Photo: Huu Vi

Mr. Tien recounted a legendary story that has been passed down through many generations in Muong Lam, saying that this ancient Muong was established over 600 years ago. At that time, around the 13th or 14th century, there were two "Tao" brothers in the area, Lam To and Lam Nua. The two brothers were divided into two different areas. Tao Lam Nua was the older brother who ruled the upper Nam Non River. Tao Lam To's younger brother ruled the lower part.

During their lives, the brothers had conflicts that led to them sending troops to fight each other. The fratricidal conflict caused countless deaths, and crows could not finish eating them all. Therefore, there is a section of the Nam Non River called Nhan Ca Lua (crows could not finish eating) to remember the story of the conflict.

The war was inconclusive, but it left the two leaders of Muong Lam exhausted and ashamed. They both left the Muong. From then on, the land no longer had a Muong, and no one ruled it anymore.

A household leaving the resettlement area returns to set up a tent to live by Ban Ve lake. They accept a primitive life like in the old days on Muong Lam land. Photo: Huu Vi

After the two brothers left the Muong, Lao people came by boat and were surprised by the desolation of the land. The once prosperous Muong had only a few scattered villages left. After asking carefully, they discovered that the two Muong leaders, Lam To and Lam Nua, had both fled to live in Phu Quy.

In the clan, there were two more people, Phia Keo and Phia Xi. They were invited to become the masters of the village. Later, Phia Keo gave birth to two children, one boy and one girl. Phia Xi had no children. The daughter's name is unknown, the son was later called Nha Hau Doc. He gave birth to two sons, Xong Kha and Xong Ly.

Mr. Xong Ly gave birth to 5 sons. The eldest son was Tao Ca Tien. When he grew up, he moved to Laos to live. The remaining 4 were named Lang Van Thanh, Lang Van Phuong, Ly Van and Huong Thau. They were all the rulers of Muong Lam during the late feudal period.

Later, their descendants continued to inherit the family lineage until the revolution succeeded. The old administrative system was abolished and many members of the family also contributed to the revolutionary movement. Not only was it a village of talented people with a liberal lifestyle, they also played an important role in forming a cultural area along the Nam Non River.

Muong Lam is also famous for its beautiful landscapes. These include caves like Tham Mam in Huu Khuong commune. Unfortunately, most of these famous landscapes have been submerged in the hydroelectric reservoir.

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