Tung con (throwing con) is a traditional folk game that is indispensable during the Tet holidays of the Thai people in the Northwest. According to the Thai people's concept, the con ball simulates the image of the Dragon Con (Luong Con) - a sacred animal that brings favorable weather, a prosperous life and bountiful crops.
The fruit is meticulously handcrafted with red, black, and white fabric, sewn into a square shape, stuffed with cotton seeds, rice seeds, and a little rice husk. It is decorated with 5 colored tassels, 4 tassels at the 4 corners and the bottom string symbolizing the dragon's body, and 9 staggered tassels symbolizing the dragon's flexibility and agility.
Ms. Lo Thi Toan, a resident of Na Son commune, Dien Bien Dong district, Dien Bien province, said that the game of throwing con is usually held on a flat land and has two main ways of playing. The first is "throwing con giao duyen", for young men and women who are not married. This is an opportunity for boys and girls to express their feelings, exchange and get to know each other. This custom often takes place on the occasion of the village festival, the village festival, and spring.
The second way to play is called “tot con vong”, also known as tossing the ball around. Players will throw the ball through a circle about 50 - 70cm in diameter, mounted on top of a bamboo tree about 10m high. This game is not limited to the participants, from children to the elderly can try.
During each Tet holiday, the traditional folk game of the Mong people, Tu Lu, is not only entertaining but also an opportunity for young men to demonstrate their strength and dexterity.
According to Mr. Lau A Su - Xa Dung commune, Dien Bien Dong district, since childhood, H'Mong boys have been familiar with this game. Small spinning tops are made by their fathers or older brothers for them to play with, and gradually become an indispensable part of life.
Mr. Su said that to play Tu Lu, players need to prepare a spinning top and a string. The spinning top is made of hard wood, with a hard nail at the tip. The string is about 1.5m long, fixed to a small wooden bar to control and hit the opponent's spinning top. The playing field is usually a large, flat piece of land to ensure the safety of the spectators.
In the festivals of the Northwest people, in addition to traditional games and sports, throwing Pao is the game that most men and women participate in. This is an opportunity for boys and girls to have fun, socialize and get to know their life partners.
During festivals, Hmong girls often carry Pao fruits, which are considered an indispensable piece of jewelry. Pao fruits are sewn together with pieces of linen into a circle, the size of an orange, and stuffed with flax seeds or cotton inside.
Pao throwing game is usually held in large, flat areas. Players are divided into 2 teams, male and female, standing opposite each other at a distance of 5-7m. The goal is to not let the Pao fall to the ground. The two teams will agree on the number of times to throw and catch the Pao. The losing team will have to fulfill a certain request set by the winning team.
Pao Throwing is also an opportunity for boys and girls to exchange glances, smiles and feelings. This is the unique feature of Pao Throwing in the culture of the H'Mong people.
