Located on the Tuan Ngu River (a branch of the Ma River), Quan Noi village, Long Anh ward (Thanh Hoa city) was formerly part of Hoang Anh commune (Hoang Hoa district). This land was the seat of Hoang Hoa district for a long time. On Quan Noi land today is a village cultural space with place names and relics associated with the formation and development of the ancient land.
At the Quan Noi communal house - temple relic, ancient architectural marks are still preserved. Photo: Khanh Loc
According to local documents and legends, Quan Noi village was founded during the Ly - Tran dynasty. Legend has it that the village was founded by Mr. Dao Tinh - a man from Kinh Bac region. When he came to the land by the Tuan Ngu river and saw the fertile and flat land, he decided to stop and settle down.
With a favorable location: "The Tuan River is a long strip / Boats go up and down, boats return with stars spread out", perhaps that is why in the past, during the development process, Quan Noi became the capital of Hoang Hoa district. On Quan Noi village land, there is "District market" - the busiest trading address in the region. The market usually meets on session days (3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, 28th) attracting a large number of traders from all over. The bustling and bustling District market sessions are still beautiful memories often recounted by the village elders.
“Attached to the District Market is the boat trading profession of Quan Noi village. Historical records show that when the Ma River had not yet flowed to Ham Rong, the District Market was very bustling. It was considered a major trading port of Hoang Hoa with the birth of the boat trading profession from the 14th century. Quan Noi boats were made of wood, about 15 - 20m long, and could carry about 5 tons of goods. Each owner had 1 boat, some had 2 or 3 boats. In the commune at that time, there were 50 - 60 such boats. The boats traveled here and there, sometimes to the North, sometimes to the South, buying goods to sell wholesale or retail at the District Market and other markets in the region... During Tet, the District Market became much more crowded, on the wharf and under the boats, the brown sails were spread all the way from Quan Noi to Cau Tao... Due to the development of the boat trading profession, Quan Noi village became one of the villages with many wealthy families in the district”. (Book History of the Party Committee and the Revolutionary Movement of the People of Hoang Anh Commune).
Thanks to the early development of trade and commerce, not only did the economy of the land along the Tuan River develop, but it also contributed to creating a unique village space with valuable cultural architectural works in Quan Noi village.
The “picture” of Quan Noi village is described: “At the beginning of the village is an old market, an everlasting mark of a rural area with a long history. Standing at the end of the village looking out to the southern fields is an altar to the God of Agriculture (now called “the banyan tree”). According to ancient customs, on the full moon and the first day of every month, villagers often come out to burn incense and pray to the God of Agriculture for good harvests. Looking to the west, there is Long Khanh pagoda worshipping Buddha and Saints... To the northeast, next to the Huyen market, there is a large, ancient temple worshipping the Four Holy Ladies.” (Book History of the Party Committee and Revolutionary Movement of the People of Hoang Anh Commune).
In particular, in the former Quan Noi village, there was also a Quoc Mau temple associated with the pride of the local people about a brave and patriotic mother. Legend has it that in the early 15th century, in Quan Noi, there was a woman named Ha Thi Cai. When she was old, because she had no children, she went down the Ma River to So village (now Nghia Huong village, Hoang Xuan commune, Hoang Hoa) to open a water stall by the dike. At that time, Binh Dinh King Le Loi raised the flag of uprising to fight against the invading Ming army. Once, when he was being chased by the enemy, when crossing the Ma River, he met Ha Thi Cai's water stall and the leader of the Lam Son uprising was helped by her intelligence to escape. After ascending the throne, not forgetting the help of the water seller in the past, King Le Thai To sent someone to invite her to the capital Thang Long. When she passed away, she was posthumously awarded the title of Quoc Mau, the king ordered the people of Quan Noi and Nghia Huong (So village) to build a temple to worship her. Since then, the two villages have had a "friendly" relationship with each other.
The temple of Duc Thanh Ca in Quan Noi village was renovated and decorated.
Over time with changes and ups and downs, it is inevitable that some architectural works in Quan Noi village will be damaged. However, with pride and respect for the traditional cultural values of their ancestors, Quan Noi people have contributed funds to restore and embellish the relics. And so, in Quan Noi today, many architectural works associated with spiritual life, being cultural "highlights" - spiritual "supports" of local people are being promoted in value.
That is Duc Thanh Ca Temple, worshiping the Four Holy Ladies. The majestic temple on the Tuan River was built during the Le Dynasty. In 2011, the temple was renovated on the old foundation. Ms. Le Thi Sot, a Quan Noi villager who looks after and keeps the incense at Duc Thanh Ca Temple, proudly said: “In history, Duc Thanh Ca Temple has played an important role for many generations of local people, contributing to creating a unique culture - the fine customs of the land and people of Quan Noi. Therefore, when there was a policy to restore the relic, the people were very excited and enthusiastic to contribute. The restoration of the relic was completed in just one year. At Duc Thanh Ca Temple, on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year, a festival takes place, attracting many people, descendants from near and far to participate.”
Along with Duc Thanh Ca Temple, Quan Noi Communal House - Temple relic is also a cultural highlight of the ancient land. With the architecture of the communal house in the front and the temple behind, the relic has a history of construction through many stages. In particular, Quan Noi Temple still preserves many architectural marks of the past. Ms. Nguyen Thi Diu, a cultural and social officer of Long Anh Ward, said: "Quan Noi Communal House - Temple worships many characters (angels and gods) that are respected by the people. That is why the relic has many different names such as Communal House - Temple worshiping the God of the Land, then Communal House - Temple of the Quan House, each name has different explanations. However, that does not affect or lose the value of the relic"...
In the flow of a busy life, the people here still cherish traditional cultural values. These are the village gate, the village well, the communal house, the temple, and the pagoda. All of them exist together, creating the beauty of Quan Noi village.
Article and photos: Khanh Loc
Source
Comment (0)