The fruit of love

Pao throwing (po po) is a traditional folk game, unique to the Mong ethnic group in the Northwest in general and in Son La in particular. Pao throwing is often held during Tet, holidays, traditional festivals, and happy occasions of the village. Pao fruit is considered to convey the wish for happiness of love between couples.

We invite you to come to the Northwest highlands during Tet to join author Trinh Thong Thien in learning about and participating in this traditional game through the photo series "The love fruit pao". This photo series was submitted by the author to participate in the Photo and Video Contest "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam" , organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The Mong people in the Northwest have many unique folk games such as playing tu lu, pushing sticks, climbing trees, playing chicken shuttlecock... but the most popular is still the pao throwing game. The pao ball is associated with the Mong people from childhood to the end of their lives and becomes an inconsolable longing in love.

This is a game that has existed for a long time and has been passed down to this day. For the Hmong people, the pao fruit is ageless, it stays with them throughout their lives and it is also a mascot to demonstrate the love of couples.

With this game, the fatigue and hardships of daily life are dispelled and for many H'Mong people, Qua Pao is not only a game but also a memory of love.

During the party, if a girl likes a guy, she usually cleverly hides her feelings through her eyes and smile, while a guy who likes a girl keeps the pao.

To make the pao (lu po), women often sew pieces of linen together into a round fruit, the size of an orange, and stuff flax seeds inside, because according to the Mong people's concept, flax seeds symbolize fertility and growth. When sewing the fabric, it must be rolled tightly, then sewed with another large piece of cloth, sewn around it 2-3 times, until it is round and full. The pao of young girls is more eye-catching and colorful, while the pao of young girls is simple, small and usually black.

Pao throwing usually takes place in the village cultural house yard, football field, or any land that the pao thrower finds suitable. The players are divided into two sides, male and female, each side has 3-10 people, standing opposite each other, the two teams are about 5-8 meters apart. The skill of the pao thrower is to not let the pao fall to the ground. Just like that, the pao flies back and forth, carrying the glances and smiles that the couple sends to each other. If the boy likes a girl, he keeps the pao as an excuse to take it to her house, or to meet her to express his feelings.

Pao throwing game is simple, but with its own unique features, high community connection and great spiritual value in social life, pao throwing has been and is being preserved and protected by Mong ethnic people./.

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