Mong culture and the preservation of traditional identity

The Mong ethnic group belongs to the Mong - Dao language group, residing in most of the northern mountainous provinces, in mountainous areas with altitudes of 1000m or more. Hmong people are divided into 4 groups: Chinese Hmong - Black Hmong - Green Hmong - White Hmong. Although there are 4 different Hmong groups, their language and culture are basically the same. The differences between groups are mainly based on women's clothing.

Among the ethnic groups in northern Vietnam, the Mong people are special because of their adaptation and survival, just like the Mong folk song: "Fish live in the water, birds fly in the sky, Mong people live in the mountains."

The Mong people have adapted to life in the high mountains in difficult but also majestic and poetic conditions.

The living space of the Mong people is always a big question for many people, they always choose to live in the sky. Thanks to adapting to natural conditions combined with a proud and independent nature, the Mong people forever cling to the mountain tops, determined not to leave their homeland and clan. That's why the Mong people have a proverb: "There is no mountain peak higher than the Mong people's knees."

From adapting to living conditions, the Mong people created new forms of farming as well as appropriate cultural conditions to be able to survive on their high mountain peaks.

While other ethnic groups often live in seclusion and harmony with other ethnic groups in a village, the Mong people rarely live interspersed with other ethnic groups but reside concentrated within their own ethnic group. For the Mong people, the family institution plays a very important role, each family has different regulations and laws, everyone in the family must follow those regulations and laws. The Mong people believe that people of the same clan are brothers and sisters of the same ancestors, can give birth and die in each other's house, must always help each other in life, and support each other in danger.

The Mong people are a patrilineal people, the patriarchy in the Mong family is very strong. The man plays a decisive role in everything in the family and is the heir to family property. Getting married and having children aims to enhance the family's prestige and increase the family's workforce, so the Mong people give birth to many children and value sons to continue the family line and worship their ancestors.

The first important thing when a baby is born is the naming ceremony. The naming ceremony has a very important position related to the life cycle rituals of the Mong people. From birth to the moment they close their eyes and return to their ancestors, Mong people go through many rituals such as the middle name renaming ceremony for men, wedding ceremonies,... in which the naming ceremony is a very important ritual. important in life for boys because of the expectation that when they grow up, they will become the pillar of the family and clan.

Mong elders often proudly say that grown-up Mong sons must know how to plow fields, forge drums, and play the flute. While at work, Mong men always show strength and are the breadwinners of the family, their talent is shown through their talent in dancing and blowing the flute like true artists. Khen is not simply a means of entertainment, but by bringing their talent through the sound of Khen, Mong boys will find their other half. As well as the ability to dance the flute and make the seemingly inanimate flute make melodious sounds, Mong men find the most suitable women for themselves.

It is not too difficult to encounter peaceful, rustic images here when visitors set foot in Mong village. The entire mountain and forest space seemed quiet and time passed slowly because of that simple peace. Every Mong girl knows how to grow her own flax, weave fabric to make her own clothes. The way the people here make flax creates the patience and resilience of Mong women or is it because of their absolute patience. It is wonderful in the nature of Mong women that flax has been closely associated with these people to this day. They say they come home tired from going to the fields, so sitting and weaving, weaving, and embroidering is rest, a break. Mong women's hands do not get tired, their feet do not know how to get tired, each brocade product is deeply imbued with the image and qualities of diligence, hard work and ingenuity of Mong women.

When talking about the Mong people, people cannot help but mention the markets. The market is both a place to exchange goods and a place to meet people from all walks of life. The fair is scheduled to meet every 6 days, in some places every 5 days. Mong people's houses are often very far from the marketplace, sometimes to several mountains, so right before dawn, when the mountains and forests are still in deep sleep, the Mong people hump their backs and go to the market. Mong girls often choose the most beautiful dresses and comb their hair neatly and beautifully to go to the market. The sparkling brocade shirt, the ten-colored floral flared skirt, and the red shoes that you usually don't have a chance to wear are only reserved for important occasions, and the market is one of those occasions.

Currently, along with economic development, the life of the Mong people has been improved. With Programs: 135, 30a and the National Target Program to build New Rural Areas, culture and society are paid attention, spiritual life is increasingly diverse and rich. Believe that the Mong ethnic culture will continue to be preserved and developed thanks to their own awareness in family, clan and community. And, that culture will be continued and passed on from generation to generation.