The person who contributed to preserving the soul of Muong culture in Quang Lac

One drizzly autumn morning, I and Mrs. Nam (as the villagers often call Mrs. Bui Thi Nam) attended a performance practice session of the members of the Muong singing club in Dong Trung village, chaired by Mrs. Nam. Introducing us to the club's instruments such as gongs, cymbals, and two-stringed fiddles, Mrs. Nam's eyes lit up with pride. She said: Gongs are not only musical instruments, but also the soul of the Muong people. The sound of gongs calls the seasons, calls the rain, calls the wind, and even calls the gods. When the sound of gongs resounds, the whole village seems to join in, joyful and happy.

Then Mrs. Nam slowly told me about her journey with the Muong singing club in Dong Trung village: Born in 1961, in a family of 6 siblings, as the 5th child, I was named "Nam". Since I was little, my mother taught me the melodies of the Muong people such as: sac bua, giao duyen, lullabies with the bustling sounds of gongs and cymbals. Every time I hear the sound of gongs, I feel like I am returning to my roots, to beautiful childhood memories. Muong culture has therefore naturally permeated my soul, becoming an indispensable part of life and I am always proud of my roots.

According to Ms. Nam, Dong Trung village is a highland village of Quang Lac commune, with 100% of the population being Muong ethnic people living there with many unique, rich and diverse cultural features, customs and practices. Previously, due to the difficult economic life of the people and the influence of some foreign cultures, the traditional culture of the Muong people gradually faded away. Traditional costumes were almost lost, cultural tools and props were no longer preserved, and the number of people who understood Muong ethnic cultural activities was decreasing...

The person who contributed to preserving the soul of Muong culture in Quang Lac — Me Nam - one of the people who contributed to preserving the soul of Muong culture.

Faced with that situation, with the responsibility of a party member, but above all as a native Muong, Ms. Nam has constantly struggled and sought solutions to preserve cultural values that are gradually fading.

Originally a kindergarten teacher, Ms. Nam later took on the position of Principal of Quang Lac Commune Kindergarten until her retirement in 2017. Immediately after her retirement, Ms. Nam and other enthusiastic people established the Muong Ethnic Culture, Arts and Sports Club in Dong Trung village. The first goal set by the club is to preserve the cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group, raise awareness and responsibility of each member in promoting and linking culture with economic development, contributing to supporting the improvement of the material and spiritual life of the Muong people.

Ms. Nam said: At first, when the club was established, everything was very difficult, from finding documents and props to gathering people with the same passion. The whole commune only had 6 gongs and 6 sets of costumes to lend to villages for performances during festivals. This also made many members of the club feel skeptical about the club's vitality.

However, with the enthusiasm and strong belief in the love of Muong culture that is still smoldering in every villager of Dong Trung, Mrs. Nam has actively sought to learn from people who have knowledge of Muong ethnic culture and to promote and mobilize female members who have knowledge of Muong ethnic culture, who have artistic talent and love the dances and songs of their own ethnic group, and to encourage young female members with passion to participate in Club activities.

In particular, to have enough props for the performance club, she spent part of her small pension to buy more two-stringed fiddles, flutes, etc. and mobilized benefactors to support the club's performance costumes. In addition to arousing the sense of responsibility, passion, and enthusiasm of core members for the work of preserving and promoting Muong ethnic culture, Mrs. Nam also actively encouraged students and young people to participate in the club's activities to inherit and sustainably transmit traditional cultural values.

Mrs. Nam's passion has inspired many club members. From the difficult early days, the club has gradually grown, becoming a warm common home for those who love Muong ethnic culture. Currently, the club has 50 members from many villages in Quang Lac commune (an increase of 14 members compared to when it was first established). Club members have actively participated in training and teaching the younger generations about the cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group. Many students from grades 3 to 9 have also actively participated in training with the club.

In recent years, the Club has been selected by the Commune People's Committee to perform at festivals and major cultural and artistic programs and events of the province, district and commune such as: Cultural and Sports Festival of Nho Quan District Ethnic Groups, Trang An Water Procession Festival, Hoa Lu Ancient Town Festival, Ninh Binh Festival, Tam Coc - Trang An Golden Color Festival... In addition, the Club regularly performs for tourists at Thien Ha Cave tourist area.

In 2023, in order to meet the increasingly better development requirements, based on the activities of the Muong Ethnic Culture, Arts and Sports Club in Dong Trung village, Quang Lac commune decided to establish 7 more Muong cultural clubs in the remaining villages and hamlets. The Muong Ethnic Culture, Arts and Sports Club in Dong Trung village was also changed to the Muong Folk Song Club in Dong Trung village.

The Muong singing club in Dong Trung village is not only a place for people to exchange and learn, but also a "bridge" to promote Muong culture to friends inside and outside the province. The club's unique performances have contributed to enriching the local cultural life, while promoting the beautiful image of the Muong people to tourists.

The dances and Muong songs of the club have not only resonated in Dong Trung village but are also known by many people. They have performed at many major events of the province and district, contributing to bringing the traditional cultural values of the Muong people closer to the public. One of the positive factors contributing to preserving the soul of Muong culture in Quang Lac is Me Nam" - the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Lac commune shared.

In recognition of Ms. Bui Thi Nam's contributions to the preservation and promotion of cultural values, especially Muong culture, she was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Provincial People's Committee. Ms. Nam is also one of the typical advanced delegates of Quang Lac elected to attend the 4th Congress of Ethnic Minorities of Ninh Binh Province in 2024.

Mrs. Nam's contributions do not stop at preserving culture but also contribute to improving the spiritual life of the community. Thanks to the club, the people of Dong Trung village have a healthy playground, connecting people together. As for Mrs. Nam: "Seeing the dances and songs of my people known by many people, my children and grandchildren enthusiastically learning, I feel so peaceful. That is the greatest happiness of my life".

It was late afternoon, it was still raining, but Mrs. Nam and the members of the Club were still enthusiastically practicing the melodies to the sound of gongs. Perhaps the cultural and artistic exchanges and practices were also the times when the members of the Club felt most clearly the "Muong soul" in them, so that the daily difficulties were temporarily forgotten, only the love for Muong culture remained. Immersed in the space of the stilt house, Mrs. Nam's gentle singing mixed with the bustling sound of gongs in the mountains and forests, we felt like we were enjoying the unique cultural features of the Muong people and did not want to leave...

Mai Lan - Truong Giang

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/nguoi-gop-phan-giu-gin-hon-cot-van-hoa-muong-o-quang-lac/d20240911073239136.htm