The Green Hmong are one of the four Hmong subgroups in Lao Cai province, concentrated in Nam Xe commune, Van Ban district, with a population of approximately 1,000 people. Authors Duong Tuan Nghia and Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (co-editors) published the book "Folk Culture of the Green Hmong in Lao Cai (Volume 1)" by Hanoi National University Publishing House in the fourth quarter of 2023. The authors have over twenty years of research on the culture of the Green Hmong in Nam Xe commune, Van Ban district.
The book has 431 pages, including an introduction and 6 chapters. Following the introduction are 6 chapters (Chapter 1: The Blue Hmong in Vietnam; Chapter 2: Folk knowledge in livelihood; Chapter 3: Customs in childbirth and child-rearing; Chapter 4: Traditional wedding customs; Chapter 5: Traditional funeral customs; Chapter 6: Beliefs and worship in the community).
Along with the book's content, there is an appendix of photographs provided by the author, reflecting the landscapes of villages; wedding ceremonies; some folk games such as swinging, spinning tops, stilt walking, and badminton; bamboo flute singing, courtship songs; the altar of the shaman; the traditional clothing of Hmong women; ancestor worship rituals; naming ceremonies for children; and flute dancing during Tet (Lunar New Year)...
The book "Folklore of the Green Hmong People in Lao Cai (Volume 1)" is published to provide readers, cultural researchers, the public, and those passionate about ethnic culture, especially that of the Green Hmong people, with an opportunity to learn more.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the historical origins, geographical location, ethnicity, population, and general characteristics of the Green Hmong people. Chapter 2 introduces their livelihood activities such as hunting, gathering, slash-and-burn farming, and some rituals related to agricultural production. Chapter 3 introduces customs related to childbirth and child-rearing, taboos before and after birth, naming ceremonies, and childcare and education according to age.
Chapter 4 reflects the entire process of organizing a wedding, from the initial courtship to the bride's arrival at the groom's home, the regulations and rituals of traditional wedding ceremonies, a collection and introduction of some folk songs used in wedding ceremonies with profound humanistic values, and an introduction to wedding attire. Chapter 5 reflects funeral customs, from preparations for the funeral, the rituals performed, the steps involved in organizing a funeral when a family member dies, memorial services, some lamentations for the deceased, and some taboos during the funeral. Chapter 6 discusses the community's worship beliefs, ancestor worship, rituals related to building a new house, building a kitchen, etc., and introduces the holidays and traditional games of the Green Hmong people throughout the year.
We are pleased to introduce to our readers the book "Folklore of the Green Hmong People in Lao Cai (Volume 1)". The book is currently available at the Lao Cai Provincial Library. We cordially invite you to read it!
Source
Comment (0)