Preserving the cultural heritage of the Khơ Mú ethnic group amidst the vast forests of Sơn La.

Amidst the flow of modernity, the community of peopleKhơ MúIn Son La, people continue to diligently preserve their unique traditional cultural characteristics.

 

Embroidery of the Khơ Mú ethnic group's piêu scarf in Sơn La. Photo: Trường Sơn

From the graceful and fluid Au Eo dance and simple folk melodies to the sacred Xen Cung festival and various rituals in daily life... all are being preserved by the Khmu community through generations, contributing to the vibrant cultural tapestry of the Northwest mountains.

Unique cultural colors amidst the vast forest.

The Khmu community in Son La province numbers approximately 16,500 people, primarily residing in highland villages and hamlets.Ma River, Muong La, Thuan Chau, Mai Son, Sop Cop, Yen Chau...

One of the distinctive features of the Khmu people's culture and art is the Au Eo dance – also known as the hip-shaking dance. This dance mimics daily labor movements such as harvesting rice, planting corn, picking vegetables, and scooping shrimp. Each movement is graceful yet decisive, expressing the harmony between humans and nature, between the individual and the community. The Au Eo dance is not only a cultural symbol but also a bridge connecting generations.

Khơ Mú women are distinguished by their traditional attire, which has unique features compared to other ethnic groups. Their headscarves are embroidered with vibrant patterns and wrapped backwards to reveal the patterns at the back of the neck. Their black blouses feature large rectangular silver buttons, and the bodice is adorned with silver coins and multicolored pearls, symbolizing wishes for prosperity and good fortune.

Mr. Lo Van On, a respected figure in Phieng Nong village, formerly Nong Lay commune (now Chieng La commune), shared: “The piêu scarf and the com shirt are not just clothing, but also the soul of the culture. When the women perform the Au Eo dance, the piêu scarf flutters with the rhythm of the dance, carrying with it the aspirations of the Khmu people for a prosperous and fulfilling life.”

Besides traditional dances, the Khơ Mú people also preserve many folk musical instruments such as the khèn (bamboo mouth organ), drums, multi-tube flutes, and especially the monkey gong (rơ bang họa) - a type of instrument made from three horizontally arranged bamboo tubes, which, when struck, produces pleasant sounds and is used to accompany songs and dances.

Khơ Mú cuisine also bears its own distinct mark with dishes like Đoong Uông soup made from smoked buffalo and beef along with various wild vegetables and mắc khén (a type of spice); or dishes such as five-colored sticky rice, bamboo-tube rice, and chicken cooked with sour bamboo shoots, all with the rich flavors of the mountains and forests.

The Khmu people still preserve the custom of worshipping their ancestors. On the rice basket, the bamboo water container, or the pig's jawbone are sacred objects, symbolizing the connection between generations. Life cycle rituals, from naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals to harvest festivals, are still regularly held.

In particular, the Xên Cung festival (village offering ceremony) is the largest community ritual of the year for the Khơ Mú people. The ceremony is held in the third lunar month, when the villagers are preparing for the planting season. The ceremony begins early in the morning. The entire village gathers at two elevated areas at the beginning and end of the village. The offerings include: oil, pork ribs, feet, liver, and heart; live roosters and ducks; dog meat; wine, sticky rice, fruits, and sets of clothing for each family member, all placed in woven brocade bags.

The shaman presides over the ceremony, invoking the gods who govern the mountains, forests, rivers, streams, fields, and the spirits of ancestors to receive the offerings and bless the village with peace, prosperity, and a bountiful harvest. Following the ceremony is the festival with folk games such as stick pushing, throwing the ball, and tug-of-war, along with traditional dances and songs that resonate joyfully, fostering community bonding.

Mr. Me Van Hung, a respected figure in Phieng Trai village, Mai Son commune, said: "In the past, the Xen Cung festival lasted 2-3 days, but now it has been simplified while still retaining the main procedures and meaning. This is an occasion for the villagers to bond and pray together for a successful new harvest and peace for the community."

 

Traditional Khơ Mú ethnic costumes in Sơn La province. Photo: Trường Sơn

Passing on the cultural flame through generations.

Amidst the flow of integration, the Khơ Mú people persistently pass on their traditional cultural values ​​to the younger generation. From dances and folk songs to language and musical instruments, everything is preserved in various ways.

In Cang On village, Sop Cop commune, every year, the villagers hold a sweet potato and taro festival at the end of the twelfth lunar month. The offerings include boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, taro, and various fruits, praying for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest in the new year.

The village also established a performing arts troupe with 10 members, who regularly practice and perform the Au Eo dance and Khơ Mú folk songs at festivals or cultural exchange events.

Mong Thi Nang, the youngest member of the performing arts group, said: “I started learning to dance when I was little, taught by my grandmother and mother. Now I practice with the other children in the village so that everyone can learn to dance and sing in the Khmu language.”

In Chiềng La commune (formerly Nong Lay commune), the Khơ Mú ethnic folk culture club also maintains the tradition of passing on its knowledge to the younger generation. The club has 22 members aged 20-50, who regularly perform Au eo dance, fish dance, seed-planting dance, traditional musical instrument ensembles, and reenact traditional rituals.

Mr. Lo Van Thom - the club's chairman - shared: "We not only perform but also regularly guide young people in learning dance, singing, and playing musical instruments. We need a new generation so that our culture doesn't fade away."

In Than village, Yen Chau commune (formerly Chieng Pan commune), a class has been opened to teach the Khmu ethnic language to young people in the village. This is a way to preserve the language, which is gradually fading away due to living alongside other ethnic groups.

Ms. Lu Thi Lan, from the Than village management board, shared: "The Khmu language is the soul of our ethnic group. Losing the language means losing our roots. We opened classes so that the children could learn to speak and sing in their mother tongue."

Besides language, traditional festivals such as the New Rice Festival, the Xên Bản Festival, folk games, and life cycle rituals are also maintained and regularly organized. Through these, the Khơ Mú people not only preserve the beauty of their traditional culture but also strengthen community bonds, contributing to the development of cultural life at the grassroots level.

Leaders of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and TourismSon LaAssessment: "Preserving the Khơ Mú ethnic culture is not only about safeguarding heritage but also a way to develop community tourism, linking culture with sustainable economic development."

In the heart of the Northwest region of Son La, the Au Eo dance, the Xen Cung festival, the sound of monkey gongs, and the khen flute still resonate in many villages. This is a cultural heritage preserved and passed down by the Khmu people, enriching the cultural treasure of Vietnam's ethnic groups.