Hmong children find joy in trapping birds in the mountains and forests.

(Baonghean.vn) - For Hmong children in the communes of Nam Can, Tay Son, and Huoi Tu (Ky Son district)... setting traps in the forest seems to have become a profession passed down from generation to generation. Their methods of trapping birds are primarily for entertainment, but they also contain many interesting "inventions."

Whenever she had free time, Và Bà Nà would invite her classmates to the open space behind the forest to set traps for birds. In spring, even before the mist had lifted from the border area of ​​Nậm Càn commune, flocks of birds were already singing loudly everywhere.

A few rays of sunlight filtered through the dense, still-damp forest canopy, awakening the birds. Bulbuls, magpies, and other small birds hopped about, searching for worms and wild berries to eat. Behind the foliage lay a trap set by two Hmong children, waiting for them.

During their free time, Hmong children often gather in the forest to trap birds, considering it a form of entertainment. (Photo: Dao Tho)

The way these kids trap birds really surprised us. In the morning, while the forest birds were still listless in the trees, Va Ba Na and his friend stuck a branch into an open space about 2 meters wide.²Then, a thin nylon string is tied to the end of the rod. The rod is skillfully pulled down just enough to spring up and catch the bird's leg. About 5 cm from the rod is a bright red wild berry that Ba Na has gathered to lure the birds in. That's all, but he says he's caught quite a few sparrows.

The way Hmong children set traps is very simple, using only wild fruits, a snare, and nylon rope. Photo: Dao Tho

After setting the traps, the children camouflaged them with leaves so the birds wouldn't detect the snare. Whenever they had free time, they would take turns checking the traps. Ba Na revealed, "Other children also often go bird trapping like me. Everyone knows this method, but we only catch one bird occasionally." It's clear that while adults are using modern nets and cages to trap large numbers of birds, causing their numbers and species to decline, these Hmong children remain carefree with their traditional bird trapping methods, simply for fun.

Wild berries are used as bait; when a bird lands, the trap snaps shut to eat, and its feet get caught in the rope. Photo: Dao Tho

The quiet of the highland morning was shattered by the shouts and laughter of children as a sparrow was caught in a trap. Five or six children gathered around the trap when they heard Va Ba Na call out. With its leg still caught in the nylon rope, the little bird tried to escape but was caught and freed by the children. They passed it around, admiring and commenting on Ba Na's "achievement."

The results of a bird trapping session. Photo: Dao Tho

These birds are usually kept separately by the children in simple, homemade cages made of bamboo and reeds. Each child contributes a few grasshoppers as food for the birds. Every day they take very careful care of them and find joy in it. That joy is so simple and peaceful.

Dao Tho