In Lo Son commune (Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh), every March of the lunar calendar, the Muong people are busy preparing for the March Stream Fisheries Festival, a long-standing custom passed down from generation to generation.
Unique Muong Festival
The people of Lo Son no one remembered exactly when the festival had. Just know that, at the end of the third lunar month, when the spring crop was basically completed, young rice began to take root, it was also the time when the neighbors and hamlets were busy preparing fishing, net, bamboo to make rafts to the stream of Cai fishing. Since it is a small community festival, up to now - when it has been restored and organized periodically since 2000 - the festival remains the tradition, imbued with the identity of the Muong Bi people.
Cai stream separates Muong T' Lo residential areas (called Muong language of Lo Son commune), cool water flows from Truong Son range, tearing up all year round. The fishing festival usually lasts two days, including a festival and a festival. This year, the festival is held on the 19th - 20th of the 4th lunar month (ie the 22nd - 23rd of the 3rd lunar month), attracting thousands of people and tourists from all over the world.
The solemn ceremony took place at Khoang Lo Temple, in Tan Lap Hamlet, Lo Son Commune. Here, shamans worship the land and sea around, praying for a year of favorable weather, a bumper crop, and healthy people.
Mr. Bui Van Ao, a Muong mousetrap craftsman in Tan Lap hamlet, shared: The Muong people believe that after planting, the rice plant has taken root and the land changes seasons. Organizing fishing in groups is also a way to pay tribute to the gods, selecting the largest and strongest fish to offer as offerings. It is both a spiritual ceremony and a summer festival to harmonize the village spirit".
The atmosphere of the guild was completely opposite to the original solemnity. Since noon, hundreds of people surrounded on both sides of Cai stream, where bamboo rafts, wooden plaques were dropped, the "fishing hands" began to show their talents. In the midst of the sun, more than 38 degrees Celsius, each batch of nets launched in the cheers of an entire area. People who catch a lot of fish are happy to show off the booty. The empty -handed people are not sad, because this festival is to gather, to bustle, to love more villages and nature of the homeland.
Ms. Bui Thi Lien, a resident of Lo Son commune, has been away from her family for business since Tet. On this occasion, she took a day off from work to return to participate in the hometown festival. Ms. Lien shared that her childhood was associated with Cai Stream. Although called a stream, the water is always abundant, there are many large, deep sections of the stream that are often called compartments. This is the place with the largest fish in the stream, so only talented fishermen can catch fish.
"Fishing fishing is also an opportunity for everyone to show their ingenuity and talent. The festival only happens once a year, it would be a pity not to go see it. Therefore, even when we go far, we return to our hometown to join the festival, said Ms. Lien.
Although not a resident of Lo Son commune, Mr. Bui Van Bien (70 years old), Gia Mo commune, Tan Lac district is also involved in fishing on Cai stream. Mr. Bien's family's place of residence has a stream flowing all year round, fishing and fishing without nets not only helps the family improve their meals, but is also a passion.
Mr. Bien said that when he was still healthy, he registered to participate in the fishing competition at Khoang Lo. For a few years now, his health has not been as good as before, but he still comes back to celebrate.
"The shrimp and fish of Cai stream are famous for their delicious taste. In recent years, there have been people who secretly use electrical pulses or blasters to catch fish. This seriously affects the natural fish source. Organizing the festival is an opportunity to remind everyone to join hands to prevent those acts, Mr. Bien shared.
Mr. Bui Xuan Truong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Lo Son commune - said that in addition to the fishing competition, within the framework of the festival, there is also a volleyball tournament that the people are waiting for. Some years, there was also a singing competition for Muong, whoever was good and sang well was invited to drink Vinh Li and celebrate at the stadium. These activities help people relax, connect the community, and preserve traditional beauty that is at risk of fading away.
message about environmental protection
Not only a folk festival, fishing in the spring stream also carries great messages about the responsibility to protect the environment and preserve indigenous resources. The Muong people do not use electric shock, poison or tools to destroy the ecosystem. The primitive nets and traditional fishing methods are proof of the harmony between humans and nature.
Ms. Bui Thi Chon, an elderly person in Tan Lap hamlet, Lo Son commune, said that thanks to the festival, the use of methods of exploitation to destroy shrimp and fish has decreased significantly. In addition, taking advantage of the water surface area of Cai stream, many households have developed cage fish farming. Thanks to that, income is improved, the quality of life is improved.
Attached to the festival are also traditional food stalls displayed along the banks of Cai stream. Visitors here can enjoy bamboo grilled fish, braised pork, rice, celery and typical rustic dishes of Muong. The villagers take advantage of the holiday to sell household agricultural products such as honey, wild vegetables, dried bamboo shoots, rice pads... to increase their income.
Many tourists from far away after attending the festival have returned to Tan Lac district to experience village life and explore nature.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: This is the first time I have participated in this festival. I was impressed by the clear, cool stream. Especially the competitions for catching fish and rowing rafts are very unique. In addition, we also enjoyed Muong specialties, which are very delicious and attractive.
According to Chairman of Tan Lac District People's Committee - Bui Van Tinh, in recent years, the locality has paid great attention to preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of the Muong ethnic group. Among them, there are traditional festivals, such as the Ba Thang Stream Fisheries Festival in Lo Son commune.
The festival aims to spread valuable intangible cultural values, while raising public awareness of the ecological environment. This is also an orientation to link with tourism development, creating unique tourism products of the locality in the future.
Amidst the excitement of modern life, the March Stream Fisheries Festival is like a note of clear music from the mountains and forests of Tan Lac. It is not only a festival of the Muong people but also a space for people to find their roots, learn how to live in harmony with nature and cherish each stream, each simple meal from the Motherland.
