Muong Gong - Cultural Heritage Lasts Forever

Artisans who are dedicated to preserving Muong culture, such as Meritorious Artisan Bui Tien Xo of Vinh Tien Commune (Kim Boi), still silently pass on their love of heritage to their children. Photo: BM

The Muong people play gongs in the Sac Bua festival at the beginning of the new year, in weddings, funerals, in large-scale hunting trips to capture wild animals (in the past), while pulling wood or pulling house pillars to help people build new houses, in opening ceremonies... The sound of gongs can create many different atmospheres such as: jubilant, bustling, solemn, sad... The Muong people use gongs to quickly announce important events according to village conventions such as natural disasters, unexpected enemy attacks, or sad events or funerals in the family. The sound of gongs and cymbals can encourage, create excitement, and motivate everyone to strive to overcome difficulties and obstacles; at the same time, it also creates a strong impression, increases prestige, and symbolizes power (formerly the mandarin). Muong gongs and cymbals are played methodically to create a characteristic melody, gentle, humming, and deep in people's hearts.

Therefore, the Muong people consider gongs as treasures, sacred souls, and the spirit of their homes and are preserved and passed down through generations. According to the assessment of the functional sector, there are currently over 11,000 gongs in the province, concentrated in the 4 major Muongs of the province: Muong Bi - Tan Lac, Muong Vang - Lac Son, Muong Thang - Cao Phong, Muong Dong - Kim Boi and some localities such as Luong Son, Da Bac, Hoa Binh city...

In recent years, Hoa Binh has had many solutions to preserve, conserve and spread gong culture in community life. Many gong clubs have been established throughout the province. Many individuals have been diligent and dedicated to researching, collecting, introducing, promoting and teaching the ancient capital surrounding "gong culture" to the young generation, such as Mr. and Mrs. Bui Ngoc Thuan (Cao Phong), Bui Huy Vong (Lac Son), Bui Tien Xo, Dinh Kieu Dung (Kim Boi), Bui Thanh Binh, Nguyen Van Thuc (Hoa Binh city)... For that reason, the gong culture of Muong Hoa Binh has a vibrant and rich life, when every year, there are dozens of festivals that use gongs as an indispensable part, typically the Khai Ha festival of the Muong ethnic group in Tan Lac, Lac Son, Kim Boi, Muong Thang districts; fishing festival, New Year's amulet, wedding ceremony, new rice celebration, military enlistment festival, national solidarity festival... Popular gong songs in the community such as: "Welcoming guests", "Going on the road", "White cotton, yellow cotton", "Cham kham", "Entering the festival", "Dap bong bong", "Poong ba", "Poong chin", are welcomed by young people with a more proactive mindset. Currently, researchers have recorded and transcribed 50 pieces of Muong gong music. Gongs are present everywhere, at all times in the life of the Muong Hoa Binh community. The gong concert of the Hoa Binh troupe in Hanoi after the country's reunification (1975) is still mentioned with pride by elderly artisans.

Since the re-establishment of the province, Muong gongs have had many opportunities to affirm their name and brand not only in the province, domestically but also with international friends such as at the 2 Seagames held in Vietnam, in which Hoa Binh hosted the cycling event (2003, 2022). In November 2011, the gong performance of 1,500 performers at the 125th anniversary of the founding of Hoa Binh province was recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center as a Guinness record. At the Muong gong festival in 2016, Hoa Binh province mobilized 2,000 artisans to participate in the gong performance with the theme "Sacred Soul Treasure". This gong performance was recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center as the largest gong performance in Vietnam. The gong parades on the streets are still the most beautiful and impressive images for visitors from near and far. The art program "Hoa Binh - Thanh am xu Muong" and Carnival 2022, taking place in Hoa Binh city, with more than 200 artisans, including the gong ensemble of Muong ethnic girls, was an unforgettable highlight. Muong gong art is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is an important foundation for Muong gong Hoa Binh to shine and reach far.

Muong gongs are preserved, promoted, promoted and introduced in political and cultural events in the region and nationwide, becoming the pride of the Muong community in particular and Hoa Binh province in general. This is also an attractive tourism product, contributing to socio-economic development, and at the same time making an important contribution to the cultural identity of the province.

Source: http://baohoabinh.com.vn/220/200006/Tinh-Hoa-Binh-noi-hoi-tu-nhung-net-van-hoa ,-lich-su-doc-dao,-ban-sac-Bai-12-Chieng-Muong-Di-san-van-hoa-con-mai-cung-thoi-gian.htm