Muong people preserve and promote traditional culture on the Kon Tum border

Promoting the value of cultural identity passed down from our ancestors

Accordingly, the Muong people in Ngoc Hoi district migrated from Hoa Binh province to settle in Ngoc Hoi district since 1990. After more than 30 years of living in the Kon Tum border area, up to now, they still preserve the unique and traditional cultural features of their homeland such as: gong culture, lullabies, antiphonal singing, po mang singing... which contribute significantly to the multi-ethnic culture of the Central Highlands.

Living far from their homeland for many years, the Muong community in Ngoc Hoi district still preserves and restores many traditional festivals such as: New Rice Offering, New Rice Celebration... and especially Independence Day.

Recognizing the unique and colorful cultural beauty, over the years, the People's Committee of Ngoc Hoi district has developed many projects to preserve, maintain and promote the values ​​of folk songs, folk dances and folk music of the Muong ethnic group associated with the development of community tourism .

In new traditional costumes, Muong boys and girls enthusiastically perform bamboo dance to celebrate the country, praise their homeland and spread national identity, creating a beautiful picture in the border region.

Sharing with reporters, artisan Dinh Van Thieu (Hao Phu village, Dak Kan commune, Ngoc Hoi district) said: “I have been working with people from Hoa Binh in Kon Tum for decades now. Since ancient times, the Muong people have possessed a treasure trove of folk songs, folk dances, and traditional music that are incorporated into rituals and festivals…

Over time, the Muong people in Hoa Binh have chosen new land with more abundant and rich soil to settle down and make a living. Although they have left their homeland, they have always preserved the unique cultural features of their people on the Kon Tum Plateau. A typical example is the new rice celebration, which is usually held right after the end of the harvest season.

According to Mr. Thieu, the Muong people's new rice celebration is held annually with many unique rituals and has profound humanistic meanings to thank the gods and ancestors for blessing the people with good crops and to pray for a bountiful harvest. On this occasion, people gather around the feast to recall the story of their homeland and the difficulties in the early days of starting a new life in the new land.

The ritual of pounding rice into rice in the new rice offering ceremony of the Muong people in Kon Tum

According to the ancient Muong people's belief, after the rice is brought home, it must be cooked into rice and offered to the ancestors first, then it can be eaten. Each family goes to their field to cut and braid the rice stalks into a small bundle and hang it at the top of a pillar in the house, next to the ancestral altar. After this part, everyone in the family can go to the field to harvest the rice.

In addition to the new rice celebration, the Muong people in Kon Tum have many festivals with their own unique characteristics such as: Hat dum (love singing) between boys and girls, greeting and communication singing (thuong-rang, bo-meng), singing festival to worship gods and unique Muong mo customs...

The game of throwing the ball is imbued with the culture of the Muong people.

By preserving cultural values ​​and festivals, the Muong people have promoted and spread the good and colorful values ​​in life. Thanks to that, tourists and people everywhere often remember the festival dates to come back and join in the joy, experience the beauty of Muong culture, "Hoa Binh Culture" on the land of the Central Highlands.

Independence Day of the Muong people at the Indochina crossroads

Coming to Sa Loong commune, Ngoc Hoi district these days, every village road and alley is brightly decorated with red flags with yellow stars, joyfully welcoming visitors to celebrate Independence Day.

For the Muong community in Ngoc Hoi, Independence Day is the second biggest holiday after the traditional Lunar New Year. The Muong people in Ngoc Hoi celebrate September 2nd every year as Independence Day to contribute to educating the tradition of patriotism and national pride. Thereby, promoting historical and cultural values, raising awareness in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups in general, including the Muong people.

Muong girls perform cultural performances on Independence Day

Ms. Dinh Thi Hong (59 years old, living in Sa Loong commune) and her family moved to Kon Tum to live in 1990. Since then, every year her family has gathered with the villagers to enjoy the Muong cultural festival and celebrate Independence Day.

Having lived in a family with a revolutionary tradition, Ms. Hong understands all the more the hardships and sufferings of the resistance days. Today, living in peacetime, Ms. Hong and her family appreciate the value of independence even more. Every year on Independence Day, during the family reunion meal, the elders tell their children and grandchildren about the arduous fighting days and the indomitable will of the national hero.

In the jubilant atmosphere of Independence Day, village elders always educate their children and grandchildren to try to study hard and show gratitude to the Party and Uncle Ho.

“From those sacrifices, I always advise my children and grandchildren to live properly and try harder to develop their homeland. From there, we will not let down the heroes who sacrificed so that future generations can live in peace and prosperity.

National Day September 2 is not only a festival but also an opportunity for our villagers to express their gratitude to the Party, the State, and President Ho Chi Minh for bringing independence and freedom to the whole nation. Now, with the attention and supportive policies, the lives of the people, especially the Muong people, have turned to a new, more beautiful page," Ms. Hong said excitedly.

In addition to preserving and restoring festivals, the Muong people also create a livelihood from traditional weaving.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Tuong - Chairman of Ngoc Hoi District People's Committee said: "Every year on the occasion of National Day September 2, Ngoc Hoi District People's Committee provides financial support to the Muong community and creates conditions for people to organize the "Muong Village Festival". The festival has become an activity of profound political and cultural significance, a place for Muong people and other ethnic groups in the area to meet, exchange experiences, raise awareness and sense of responsibility for preserving traditional cultural identity and strengthening the strength of the great national unity bloc".

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-muong-bao-ton-va-phat-huy-van-hoa-truyen-thong-tren-bien-gioi-kon-tum-post310297.html