Mountainous region beauty display in Điện Biên festival

ĐBP - Local residents and tourists these days have been immersing themselves in the lyrics of the traditional music and folk dance of Xòe Thái at the Mountainous Cultural Space event, an activity to commemorate the National Tourism Year-Điện Biên and the Ban Flower Festival in Điện Biên Province.

The Mountainous Cultural Space event is set up near the General De Castríes' bunker in Điện Biên Phủ City. Photos courtesy of the organisers

Spring is great time for them to discover and experience the typical customs and cultural values of different ethnic peoples along with the mountainous area's stunning beauty of the nature.

Tourists are interested in learning to make traditional patterns from beewax of the Mông in Tủa Chùa District.

There were 11 cultural spaces of various districts, towns and the Điện Biên Provincial Museum. Each unit focused on a festival of a typical ethnic group. For example, Tủa Chùa District created a space imbued with Mông characteristics and imprints. Tuần Giáo District presented and promoted Kháng culture. Mường Nhé highlighted the Hà Nhì space. Mường Lay attracted tourists with white Thái culture.

Tourists and artists dance together in the Mường Ảng District's Khơ Mú cultural space.

Bùi Quang Lợi, a visitor from Thái Bình Province, was excited to learn to drum in tune with Xòe Thái dance rhythm at the Mường Chà District's cultural space. He then held hands with everyone around and joined in the dance. This was the first time Lợi went to Điện Biên and learnt about the culture of the Northwest mountainous people.

“The culture of the ethnic groups here is very unique. Each group has its own characteristics, the costumes are beautiful, the musical instruments and dances are also very special," Lợi said.

Traditional musical instruments are among the attractions of each cultural space.

"Therefore, each group's space is so attractive and inviting that I visit all to learn and experience everything. Unfortunately, our group's trip is short, the schedule does not include visits to mountainous districts. However, it was great that we are able to travel to Điện Biên on this special occasion. We have learnt a lot about the cultures of many different ethnic groups," he said.

Thai ethnic people of Mường Lay Town brings their gong culture to the festival.

Mường Ảng District's space was one of the highlights at the event. It was decorated with Khơ Mú cultural signature and appealed people's attraction with jubilant sounds of drums, gongs, cymbals, and bamboo pipes. 

“The Khơ Mú people are one of the four main ethnic groups in Mường Ảng. Coming to this festival, we built a no-front-railing traditional stilt house with one staircase, one main door and two stoves, recreating the entire living space of the Khơ Mú people," Nguyễn Thị Thanh, director of the district's Centre of Culture, Radio and Television, said.

"Along with that we present the traditional weaving profession that is different from other ethnic groups. Local artisans and troupes are invited here to perform folk songs, dances, and music to showcase to tourists. In particular, artists play live music on the spot."

Dao women in Nậm Pồ District practise traditional brocade embroidery.

The meticulous, thoughtful, careful preparation of the organisers brought out a great place where residents and visitors really enjoyed the festive environment and atmosphere, singing together and swinging to the dance.

The indigenous people played key role making the festival a great event. They came from remote villages to perform and recreate daily life, meanwhile introduced and highlighted the beauty of their ethnic culture to visitors.

Tourists try on traditional Mông people's corn grinding.

All districts' cultural space had its own irresistible charm. This is also the common point of the participating units -- recreating the peoples' traditional cultural values ​​-- housing models, performing folk songs, dance, handicrafts, unique culinary culture -- in most realistic settings.

Sùng A Páo, from Sính Phình Commune, Tủa Chùa District, was one of the Mông artisans participating in the festival.

“My fellow artists and I enjoy playing the Mông pipe and danced to the tunes. We sometimes perform solo or sometimes in duo or trio," Páo said.

Emeritus Artisan Pờ Dần Sinh introduces visitors about the traditional house space of the Hà Nhì ethnic group who live in Sín Thầu Commune, Mường Nhé District.

"I don't remember how many performances I do each day. Even though we are sometimes tired, we are very happy to see many people visiting the cultural space, being interested and curious about the instrument and wanting to hear the sound of the flute. We are always glad to perform."

Lao ethnic women perform their traditional dances to public.

The mountainous cultural space event, on March 16-18, has brought rich and exciting experiences to visitors, bringing the typical and unique cultural beauty of Điện Biên closer to local and international friends.

Article, photos: Nguyễn Hiền
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