If the history of Thanh Hoa is a slow-motion film, the images of ancient villages are the most impressive scenes. There are banyan trees, wells, communal houses, simple people and talent...
On the last day of the year, by the gentle Bong Khe River, the people of Tien Hoa village, Ha Linh town (Ha Trung) are excited and bustling with Tet. The bustling atmosphere mixed with the moss and dust of time of a hundred-year-old village makes travelers feel even more nostalgic.
The elders recounted that the village was formerly called Ke Khao, later changed to Tien Cao, and is now Tien Hoa. In the late years of the last century, scientists discovered the archaeological site of Con Co Ngua belonging to the Da But culture, about 5,000 - 6,000 years ago. Here, people found a large number of axes, chisels, and stone tools of primitive people.
We walked along the quiet village road, passing through Ma alley, Cuu alley, Hat alley, Trung alley, Dinh alley... where there are ancient wells, ancient houses with moss-covered walls and tiles reflecting the passing of time. In that space are stories about the strength of ancient people building and developing villages, building a prosperous life.
Endowed by nature and creation, Tien Hoa has long been a region of beautiful mountains and rivers, with fertile fields. Therefore, many clans came here very early to reclaim land and settle down. Up to now, in Tien Hoa there are over 36 clans living together. Among them, there are clans that have been recorded since the Tran Dynasty, such as: Hoang Huy, Hoang Duc, Mac, Luu Xuan...
Mr. Hoang Huy Dung, Head of the Hoang Huy clan, said: “We preserve and maintain the ancient houses in the clan. We also often educate our children and grandchildren in preserving the artifacts and traditional values of the village and commune.”
The beauty of the ancient village of Tien Hoa is also special in the winding Bong Khe River. Since the village was founded, the people have used mountains and hills as a solid support to settle in a "comb" shape, facing the Bong Khe River. This good feng shui terrain not only helps the residents avoid disasters and floods in the low-lying area of Ha Trung, but also adds a rare beauty to Tien Hoa.
Thanh Hoa has many unique ancient villages, some of which are in the top 10 most beautiful ancient villages in Vietnam, some of which are “like a museum of Vietnamese village culture”... Each village preserves its own beauty of the countryside soul. But only the ancient village of Hoang Bot, Hoang Loc commune (Hoang Hoa) preserves and promotes the famous studious spirit of Thanh Hoa.
The difference and characteristic of Hoang Bot is the tradition of imperial examinations that is famous throughout the country. It is difficult for any ancient village to possess a 438-year-long tradition of imperial examinations, with 12 great scholars. Of these, 7 are listed on stone steles in the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam (Hanoi). Chairman of the Association for Promoting Education of Hoang Loc commune, Nguyen Van Ky, said: "The history of imperial examinations in the village began in the 12th year of Hong Duc (1481) with the coronation of Doctor Nguyen Nhan Le. From then until the last Confucian examination (1919), the village had 12 great scholars. The number of people who passed the Huong Cong and Cu Nhan exams was about 200"...
The ancients compared the square land of the village to a large inkstone and the road from Nguyet Vien to the village was like a pen dipped into the inkstone.
The tradition of passing exams also formed a “unique” profession in the ancient village of Hoang Bot, which is the profession of studying. The villagers highly value studying. Despite difficulties, studying is still the top priority. Children are educated by adults about the importance of studying, considering studying an important task in life. Hoang Bot communal house not only worships the village’s tutelary god, but is also a place to honor those who have achieved outstanding achievements in their studies. It is also a place to affirm the reason for honoring studying, showing the prestige and glory of each family and clan when someone passes the exams. In the communal house, there are 2 golden boards, one listing the names of 48 great scholars of Hoang Hoa land, the other listing the names of children and grandchildren in the whole district who have achieved international achievements in studying. Among them, Hoang Bot has 4 students named.
Perhaps, the traditional values of thousands of years combined into endogenous strength have encouraged the spirit of solidarity and determination in each person to make Hoang Loc the first model new-style rural commune of Hoang Hoa district.
Over the years, besides the prosperity, abundance and modernity, the ancient villages of Bot Thuong, Tien Hoa... are still a traditional cultural space, the pride of many generations of villagers. It is certainly a beloved address, a place to return to, to seek for those who love the beauty of the village.
Article and photos: Van Anh
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bang-khuang-lang-co-238006.htm
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