Watch the Mong people of Nghe An make their special 'luxurious' cakes

Dao Tho - December 30, 2023 07:43
(Baonghean.vn) - As Tet approaches, the Mong people in Nghe An begin the season of making "lua dua" cakes. The sticky rice cakes of this community are mainly used for family meals and are also an indispensable item in the worship ceremonies of some clans.
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The Mong community (Nghe An) mainly lives in high mountains in the districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Que Phong. This ethnic group still retains many unique cultural features from costumes, festivals, funerals, weddings... to cuisine. Photo: Dao Tho
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After the harvest season, when Tet is approaching, every Mong family in Son Ha village (Ta Ca commune, Ky Son district) starts making sticky rice cakes. This is a type of cake that carries the traditional culinary culture of the Mong people from the past to the present. The sticky rice used is upland sticky rice and is soaked in water for 5-6 hours before being cooked. Photo: Dao Tho
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According to Ms. Lau May Hua in Son Ha village, she and other households in the village have started making the cake for nearly a month now. “The Mong people call this cake “lua dua”, and when making it, you have to use dong leaves or banana leaves to wrap it. During Tet, Mong villages cannot lack this dish” – Ms. Lau May Hua said. Photo: Dao Tho
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After the sticky rice is cooked, it is poured into a thick wooden bed to be pounded. Photo: Dao Tho
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Pounding the rice cake is the most labor-intensive step in the process of making the cake. This step requires strong people to use heavy wooden pestles to pound continuously until the sticky rice becomes thick. Photo: Dao Tho
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The sticky rice is pounded until smooth after about 20 minutes to ensure it is white and chewy. Photo: Dao Tho
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“Each kilogram of sticky rice can make 5-10 cakes depending on the size. During Tet, some Mong families will use the cakes to worship their ancestors, the largest cake is placed at the bottom, the smaller one in the middle and the smallest one on top” – said Mr. Mua Ba Vu in Son Ha village.
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To keep the dough from sticking to their hands, the Mong people boil an egg and rub the yolk into their palms. Photo: Dao Tho
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The Mong people's cakes are simple in shape but very elaborate in making. They can be baked or fried, but the finished product must be white, fragrant and chewy. This is an item that the Mong people offer to their ancestors on holidays and Tet, wishing for a year of favorable weather, green trees and good health. Photo: Dao Tho
Mong people make moon cakes for Tet. Clip by Dao Tho
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