Preserving the cultural source of the Khmu ethnic group in the vast Son La forest

Amidst the modern flow, the human communityKhmuIn Son La still persistently preserves its own unique traditional cultural features.

 

Embroidering Pieu scarves of the Khmu ethnic group in Son La. Photo: Truong Son

From the soft and graceful Au Eo dance, the rustic folk songs, to the sacred Xen Cung festival or rituals in life... all are being passed down through generations by the Khmu community, contributing to embellishing the colorful cultural picture of the Northwest mountains and forests.

Unique cultural colors in the middle of the jungle

The Khmu community in Son La has about 16,500 people, living mainly in highland communes and villages in the region.Ma River, Muong La, Thuan Chau, Mai Son, Sop Cop, Yen Chau...

One of the unique features in the Khmu people's cultural arts is the Au eo dance - also known as the hip shaking dance. This dance simulates daily labor movements such as harvesting rice, planting corn, picking vegetables, scooping shrimp... Each movement is soft but decisive, expressing the harmony between humans and nature, between individuals and the community. The Au eo dance is not only a cultural symbol but also a bridge connecting generations.

Khmu women stand out with their traditional costumes that have unique features compared to other ethnic groups. The Pieu scarf is embroidered with colorful patterns, wrapped backwards to reveal the pattern at the back of the neck. The black Com shirt has rows of large rectangular silver buttons, and the body of the shirt is decorated with silver coins and multi-colored pearls, expressing the wish for prosperity and luck.

Mr. Lo Van On - a prestigious person in Phieng Nong village, old Nong Lay commune (now Chieng La commune) - shared: "The Pieu scarf and Com shirt are not only costumes but also the cultural soul. When the sisters perform the Au Eo dance, the Pieu scarf flies to the rhythm of the dance, carrying with it the Khmu people's wish for a prosperous and fulfilling life."

Besides traditional dances, the Khmu people also preserve many folk musical instruments such as panpipes, drums, multi-tube flutes, especially the monkey gong (rô bang hoài) - a musical instrument made from 3 horizontally arranged bamboo tubes, which when struck produces pleasant sounds, used to accompany songs and dances.

Khmu cuisine also has its own unique mark with Doong Uong soup cooked from buffalo and beef jerky with wild vegetables and mac khen; or dishes such as five-color sticky rice, bamboo tube rice, chicken cooked with sour bamboo shoots, all with the rich flavor of the mountains and forests.

The Khmu still maintain the custom of worshipping their ancestors. On the basket of rice, bamboo tube containing water or pig jaw bone are sacred objects, symbolizing the connection between generations. Life cycle rituals, from naming, weddings, funerals to festivals praying for crops are still held regularly.

In particular, the Xen Cung (village worship) festival is the biggest community ceremony of the year for the Khmu people. The ceremony is held in the third lunar month, when people are preparing to start the planting season. The ceremony starts early in the morning. The whole village gathers on two high ground areas at the beginning and end of the village. Offerings include: oil, ribs, feet, liver, pig heart; live rooster, duck; dog meat; wine, sticky rice, fruits and clothes of each family member, contained in brocade bags.

The shaman presides over the ceremony, inviting the gods who govern the mountains, forests, rivers, fields and the souls of ancestors to receive the ceremony, blessing the village with peace and bountiful harvests. After the ceremony is the festival with folk games such as: Pushing sticks, throwing balls, tug of war, along with traditional dances and songs that resonate and unite the community.

Mr. Me Van Hung - a prestigious person of Phieng Trai village, Mai Son commune - said: "In the past, the Xen Cung ceremony was held for 2-3 days, now it is simplified but still retains the main procedures and meaning. This is an occasion for people to bond, together pray for a favorable new crop and peace for the villagers".

 

Khmu ethnic costumes in Son La province. Photo: Truong Son

Passing on cultural torch through generations

Amid the flow of integration, the Khmu people still persistently teach traditional cultural values ​​to the younger generation. From dances, folk songs to language and musical instruments, all are maintained in different ways.

In Cang On village, Sop Cop commune, every year, people hold a sweet potato and taro ceremony at the end of December. Offerings include boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, taro and fruits, praying for favorable weather and good crops in the new year.

The village also established an art troupe with 10 members, who regularly practice and perform Au Eo dances and Khmu folk songs at festivals or cultural exchanges.

Mong Thi Nang - the youngest member of the art troupe - said: "I learned to dance since I was little, taught by my grandmother and mother. Now I and the children in the village practice so that everyone can dance and sing in the Khmu language."

In Chieng La commune (formerly Nong Lay commune), the Khmu ethnic folk culture club also maintains the teaching to the younger generation. The club has 22 members aged 20-50, regularly performing Au eo dance, fish-lunge dance, tra hat dance, playing traditional musical instruments and reenacting traditional rituals.

Mr. Lo Van Thom - Club Manager - shared: "We not only perform but also regularly guide young people to learn to dance, sing, and play musical instruments. There must be a next generation so that the culture does not fade away."

In Than village, Yen Chau commune (formerly Chieng Pan commune), a class has been opened to teach the Khmu ethnic language to the village’s youth. This is a way to preserve the language - which is gradually disappearing due to living mixed with other ethnic groups.

Ms. Lu Thi Lan - Than Village Management Board - shared: "Khmu language is the soul of the nation. If we cannot preserve the language, we will lose our roots. We open classes so that the children can speak and sing in their mother tongue."

In addition to language, traditional festivals such as the new rice celebration, the Xen Ban ceremony, folk games and life cycle rituals are also maintained and organized regularly. Through this, the Khmu people not only preserve the beauty of traditional culture but also unite the community, contributing to building cultural life at the grassroots level.

Leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the provinceSon Laassessment: "Preserving the Khmu ethnic culture is not only preserving heritage but also a way to develop community tourism, linking culture with sustainable economic development".

In the midst of the vast Northwest - Son La, the Au Eo dance, the Xen Cung festival, the sound of monkey gongs, the sound of panpipes... are still resounding in many villages. That is the cultural source preserved and passed down by the Khmu people, enriching the cultural treasure of the Vietnamese ethnic groups.