Khen Mong – unique culture of the Mong people
In the life of the Mong people, the flute is an indispensable musical instrument and an important part of creating the unique culture of the people. Khen is present in almost every aspect of daily life, culture and spirituality of the Mong people. The Mong Khen is a unique musical instrument because it is both a musical instrument and a prop.
Khen Mong is always respected, proud and preserved by the Mong people in Yen Bai. Photo: Hoang Huu.
Khen is a sacred musical instrument that connects the earthly world and the spiritual world. It is used to perform at funerals but is also a means of connecting the community and sharing feelings and emotions.
In particular, the sound of the flute has become a dating melody, expressing love for many Mong boys and girls. When Mong boys know how to hold a knife and a hoe to work in the fields, that is also when they know how to hold a flute. For Mong boys, learning to play the flute is not only a way to entertain, but also to show off their talents, so they can find themselves a suitable life partner.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thi, Chairman of Yen Bai Provincial Literature and Arts Association, said: “After watching the artisans craft the flute, we can see the skill, sophistication and artistry of the Mong people’s flute. Yen Bai in general and the Mong people of Mu Cang Chai in particular.
In particular, when we watched the Mong Khen performance, we saw the value of the Hmong Khen art even more. This is the unique, attractive national cultural identity of the Mong people, from the production stage to the performance stage.”
Artisan Thao Cang Sua completes the stages of making Khen. Photo: Hoang Huu.
Preserving the art of Mong Khen
Recently, the Khen art of the Mong people in Mu Cang Chai, Tram Tau and Van Chan districts, Yen Bai province was officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. This makes the Mong people even more proud, respectful and protective.
Artist Thao Cang Sua (Sang Nhu village, Mo De commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province) confided that he was very happy and proud when the Mong Khen art was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. .
Khen is a musical instrument that is always associated with the lives of the Mong people, so he wants the younger generation to pay attention, study and preserve the art of the Mong people, so that the unique culture of the Mong people will not be lost.
The art of Mong Khen is preserved through word of mouth from generation to generation. Photo: Hoang Huu.
And Mr. Sung A Da (Hang Chang Lu village, Khao Mang commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province) proudly said: “We are Mong people of the young generation, we feel very honored and proud. When the Mong Khen art is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. We will continue to preserve and promote the Hmong Khen dance to maintain and pass on to future generations.”
Mong Khen art – the cultural identity of the Mong people, has just been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. Photo: Hoang Huu.
“The Khen art of the Mong people in Mu Cang Chai, Tram Tau and Van Chan districts has become a national intangible cultural heritage. This is the honor and pride of the Mong people in Mu Cang Chai district,” he said. general and Mo De commune in particular.
In the coming time, to continue promoting the value of Mong Khen art, the Mo De commune’s government committee will continue to pay attention and direct propaganda and mobilize artisans to teach it to younger generations, to both preserving the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group, while promoting tourism development and improving the material and spiritual life of people in the commune” – said Mr. Giang A Chinh – Vice Chairman of Mo De Commune People’s Committee.
