Independence Day in Muong land

Every year, when the National Day on September 2nd comes around, the Muong Thinh Lang people in Hoa Binh ward, as well as many other Muong areas in the province, enthusiastically celebrate Independence Day. In particular, the people still maintain traditional customs, with many meaningful rituals and activities.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Chuc, a prestigious person in Hoa Binh ward, brought out the national flag to celebrate National Day September 2.

Along with the traditional Lunar New Year of the nation, since the day Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Muong people have celebrated another sacred and meaningful New Year - Independence Day. This year's New Year is more special, because it is exactly 80 years since the country gained independence; the homeland has many changes, the people are increasingly prosperous and happy. Each citizen's joy multiplies when receiving 100,000 VND from the Government to celebrate a more prosperous New Year.

Perhaps seniors like Mrs. Nguyen Thi Chuc, nearly 60 years old in the Party, 91 years old in group 11, who witnessed the misery and poverty before the revolution, see more clearly the profound value of independence, freedom and peace. Mrs. Chuc exclaimed: “The successful revolution has brought the people a historic change in their lives, from the position of exploited people to the position of masters of their homeland. That is why, since the historic Autumn 80 years ago, the Muong Thinh Lang people have taken the National Day as the Independence Day - a very sacred Tet. In the past, when life was still poor and lacking, every family tried to save, save sticky rice and chicken for this special Tet. Now, life is full, happy, and truly exciting.”

People of Hoa Binh ward prepare for a feast to celebrate National Day September 2.

Muong people's leaf tray to celebrate Independence Day.

Expressing his excitement for the Independence Day, without waiting for the announcement on the loudspeaker of the neighborhood association, Mr. Chuc reminded his grandson to take out the carefully stored national flag and hang it in front of the gate. On August 30, Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, his son, shared a pig weighing over 80kg with 3 other families. The pork was used to make the filling for the cakes and the tray of offerings. "The family still maintains the custom of wrapping round cakes, uoi cakes, and making the traditional banana leaf tray of offerings for the extended family to gather together," Mr. Phong shared.

The autumn weather in Thinh Lang this year is rainy, but the streets have been swept clean by the people and are covered with the colors of the Party and national flags. Every household and every person happily prepares chicken, pork, delicious rice... to cook sticky rice, make offerings and wrap cakes. First, the offerings are offered to the ancestors as a traditional New Year custom. Many families set up an altar for Uncle Ho and perform similar rituals. After that, the children and grandchildren reunite, gather around the offerings at the ancestral home - the grandparents' family, to ask about their health and review the work from the beginning of the year, and encourage each other to continue to strive. On this occasion, the children and grandchildren do not forget to save up to give their parents and grandparents a bag of cakes, a chicken... to show their filial piety.

Muong people wrap and cook banh uoi in wooden steamers to celebrate Independence Day.

Independence Day is an occasion for Muong Thinh Lang people to express their patriotism, national pride, and also to clearly demonstrate their unique culture. Although living in the heart of the city, Muong cultural identity is still strong, from costumes, language, folk arts to cuisine .

Among them, traditional cakes are indispensable: Ong cake, Snail cake and Uoi cake, also known as Love cake, Unity cake. These cakes are all wrapped in dong leaves, Ngai leaves and tied with giang strings. If Uoi cake only needs to be steamed, Ong cake and Snail cake must be boiled for about 10-12 hours.

During the holidays, the whole family gathers together, prepares ingredients, wraps cakes, cooks food, and celebrates Tet. These are memorable memories. The good news is that today's young generation living in modern urban areas still respect and preserve the beautiful customs of their homeland.

Along with celebrating Independence Day with family, Thinh Lang and many other Muong regions in Hoa Binh such as Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang, Muong Dong also held cultural and sports activities imbued with national identity such as: gong playing, folk singing, bamboo dancing, throwing con, pushing sticks, crossbow shooting... creating an exciting atmosphere in the community.

Enjoy national sports to celebrate Independence Day in Muong Hoa Binh.

After many hardships and fierce wars, Independence Day is still cherished and preserved by the people until today and has become a beautiful and meaningful custom, elevated to a cultural beauty. It is a true festival for those who understand the great changes not only for the country but also for each citizen. And each citizen is always cared for by the Party and the State, such as giving a gift of 100,000 VND on National Day...

Looking back on the glorious history, from the boiling revolutionary fire 80 years ago, to the resistance war against colonialism and imperialism, the people of Hoa Binh have always wholeheartedly followed the Party. Therefore, Independence Day has a very profound and sacred meaning for the people.

Affirming the special value of Independence Day, reviewing the glorious revolutionary historical tradition so that each Muong child can see their responsibility in continuing to strive and contribute to building their homeland and country in the era of national growth.

Cam Le

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tet-doc-lap-o-xu-muong-238905.htm