From wild fruit seeds to village games
Every time the drum of the festival echoes in the mountains and forests of the Northwest, besides Xoe dance, khen sound or con throwing competitions, the to mac le competition area is always bustling with laughter. Small mac le beads rolling on the ground, decisive hits, cheers after each target being lowered have become familiar images in the cultural life of the Thai people in Son La.
In Thai, "tó" means hit, while "mák lẹ" is the seed of a type of vine growing in the forest. The seeds are round and flat, dark brown, hard and shiny the more you use them. From that simple material, Thai ancestors created a folk game that has existed through many generations.
No need for a stadium or modern equipment, just a flat dirt yard in front of the stilt house, the village cultural house yard or an empty space under the trees is enough for the game to start. Players are divided into two teams, each team with a maximum of 7 people, set up a quick line as targets and then take turns to fight.
The rules of the game sound simple, but winning is not easy at all. Players must go through contents such as standing to shoot, kneeling to shoot, running to shoot... Each turn requires skill in placing hands, applying force and balancing. Just a slight deviation, the mák lẹ seed will go off target.
What creates the attractiveness of the game is not only in technique but also in team spirit. When one person has not completed the competition, another member can perform a "rescue" turn, helping the team continue the game. It is this coordination that makes tó mák lẹ not simply an entertainment game but also a lesson about cohesion and sharing.
In the memories of many elderly people, tó mák lẹ used to be an indispensable spiritual food after each harvest. On leisurely farming days, boys and girls in the village gathered to compete, the elderly sat watching, and young children ran around cheering. That atmosphere nurtured village and neighborhood affection and became a beautiful part of the memories of many generations of Thai people.
Preserving the games of our ancestors amidst modern life
On Saturday evenings every week, the Cultural House of Chon village, Muong Bu commune, is filled with laughter. After working hours, more than 20 members of the village's art troupe practice Xoe dance, sing folk songs and organize traditional games such as To Phai, stilt walking, con throwing... Among them, To Mac Le always attracts a large number of people to participate.
The special thing is that the game does not distinguish age or gender. Older people, young people, women and children can all be in the same team, compete, cheer and share experiences.
Ms. Ca Thi On, a member of the Na Si - Chon village art troupe, said that maintaining folk games has become a regular activity of the village. "This is not only an entertainment playground but also helps children and grandchildren understand more about national culture. When children directly participate, traditional values will be preserved naturally," Ms. On said.
According to Ms. On, more and more teenagers are enthusiastically participating after school hours and work hours. The mák lẹ seeds are therefore not only a game tool but also become a bridge between generations.
Not only in Muong Bu, many localities of Son La are also restoring and maintaining folk games in art troupes, cultural clubs and traditional festivals. Amidst the modern pace of life, the fact that people are still gathering around the Tuo Mac Le playground shows the sustainable vitality of Thai culture, where joy is still created from laughter, sharing and community cohesion spirit.
When folk games become cultural and tourism products
In recent years, tó mák lẹ is no longer just a familiar game of the village but has appeared at many cultural festivals, festivals and tourism events in Son La, attracting a large number of people and tourists to participate in experiencing. From a folk game, tó mák lẹ is becoming a highlight contributing to promoting the cultural identity of the Thai people to tourists from near and far.
At the 2026 Muong Bu Commune Culture and Sports Festival, the tó mák lẹ competition area is always bustling with cheers and encouragement. Experiencing for the first time, Mr. Nguyen Truong Minh, a tourist from Hai Phong, said that the game requires more skill and accuracy than he thought. "What I like most is the friendly atmosphere, people enthusiastically guide and cheer, creating a feeling of closeness like people in the village," Mr. Minh shared.
According to Ms. Lo Thi Xuan - Head of Muong Vat Ancient Thai Culture Club, Yen Chau commune, tó mák lẹ is not only a folk game but also reflects the spirit of solidarity, dexterity and community lifestyle of the Thai people. Bringing games into festivals and cultural days is a practical way to preserve heritage, arouse national pride and introduce traditional cultural values to tourists.
In the trend of community tourism development, folk games such as tó mák lẹ are becoming a product of rich identity experience, helping tourists not only visit but also directly immerse themselves in the cultural life of local people.
In the midst of modern life, mák lẹ seeds still roll on the earthen field every festival season, bringing laughter, connection and pride in their roots. It is not only a folk game, but also a testament to the sustainable vitality of Thai culture, contributing to enriching Son La's cultural identity and creating attraction for local tourism.
