Tù Lù - A Traditional Game of the Mông Ethnic Group

ĐBP - In the vibrant springtime festivities of the Mông ethnic group, a distinctive folk game takes center stage: Tù Lù, or the art of playing peg-top.

Men participate in a peg-top competition.

This age-old game holds a special place in the hearts of Mông children and youths, drawing them together in lively competitions. From childhood to adulthood, the peg-top remains a cherished symbol of their cultural heritage.

During the Tet holiday and other festive occasions, groups of youngsters eagerly gather to showcase their skills in peg-top competitions. Amidst laughter and camaraderie, they spin tales of springtime adventures while demonstrating their agility, strength, and keen-eyed precision, typical of boys from the northwest region.

Crafted from sturdy hardwood and skillfully carved into rounded shapes, Mông peg-tops are designed for optimal performance. The game requires spacious, level grounds, where players employ robust strings made from fabric or jute, tethered to a solid piece of wood measuring 30-40cm in length.

In the spirited competition, participants form teams and engage in thrilling showdowns. Before each round, representatives from both sides launch their peg-tops simultaneously, with the last spinner earning the right to lead.

The game is also attractive for children. The peg-top is close to them from childhood to adulthood.

Spanning three rounds at varying distances (3m, 6m, or 9m), the competition intensifies with each stage. Points are awarded when a player successfully strikes or dislodges the opponent's spinning peg-top, determining the victor at the end of the match.

While Tù Lù transcends age barriers, children use smaller peg-tops tailored to their hands, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all.

More than just a game, Tù Lù embodies a cultural exchange, a test of skill, and a celebration of talent for Mông men and boys. It showcases their agility, resilience, and acute vision, not only within the confines of the game but also in their daily lives.

Through Tù Lù, the rich customs and rhythmic heartbeat of the Mông people come alive, offering a glimpse into their vibrant traditions and the essence of springtime in their community.

Trần Nhâm
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Bringing preferential loans to locals

    Bringing preferential loans to locals

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In recent times, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), along with Party committees and local governments, has made efforts to bring preferential loan capital to the people, especially poor households and vulnerable groups.
  • 'Quài Tở brings resolution into life

    Quài Tở brings resolution into life

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Immediately after the 1st communal Party Congress, 2025 - 2030 term, with the motto “Resolution must live in the lives of the people,” the Quài Tở commune Party Committee led and directed Party cells, Party members, and mass organizations to urgently take action to bring the Congress Resolution into life.
  • 'Điện Biên works with KOICA Office in Vietnam

    Điện Biên works with KOICA Office in Vietnam

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On November 24, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lò Văn Cương worked with the KOICA Office in Vietnam regarding the survey and preparation for the implementation of the project “Enhancing self-reliance capacity for rural areas through building electricity infrastructure for disadvantaged regions of Điện Biên province.”
  • 'Early stabilization of life for Huổi Có residents

    Early stabilization of life for Huổi Có residents

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The recent heavy rains in early August significantly disrupted the lives of the residents of Huổi Có village, Phình Giàng commune, Điện Biên province. Many households had to leave their old homes, the road to the village was cut off, and daily life was difficult. There is an urgent need to quickly stabilize their lives, ensuring safe accommodation so that people can feel secure in their daily activities, studies, and production.
  • 'For the cause of “cultivating people”

    For the cause of “cultivating people”

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the 2020 - 2025 period, despite facing many difficulties regarding human resources and financial resources, the education and training sector of Điện Biên province has consistently maintained a spirit of innovation, creativity, and persistent effort to overcome challenges and complete key objectives.
  • 'Provincial People’s Committee holds November session

    Provincial People’s Committee holds November session

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On the evening of November 23, the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee held its November session, co-chaired by comrades: Lê Văn Lương, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Lò Văn Cương, Member of the provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.
  • 'Điện Biên records breakthrough in digital transformation

    Điện Biên records breakthrough in digital transformation

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the process of building an e-government and promoting digital transformation, Điện Biên province identifies the reception, resolution, and return of results for administrative procedures (APs) via the Online Public Service Portal as one of the key tasks. This is not only an inevitable trend but has also become an important driving force creating strong changes in administrative reform, improving service quality, and enhancing the transparency and efficiency of the two-tier local government apparatus.
  • 'Mường Luân ancient tower by Mã River

    Mường Luân ancient tower by Mã River

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - After being restored and renovated with a spacious and refined appearance, the Mường Luân ancient tower by the Mã River is gradually becoming a new, attractive destination on the tourism map of Mường Luân commune.
  • 'Solidifying people’s defense posture

    Solidifying people’s defense posture

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, along with the mission of training and combat readiness, the Điện Biên provincial Border Guard forces have consistently maintained field expeditions associated with mass mobilization efforts, supporting economic development, and participating in consolidating the grassroots political system, focusing on the border area. These practical actions have built the people’s trust and have been recognized by local Party committees and governments.
  • 'Creating seed sources on Mường Thanh rice field

    Creating seed sources on Mường Thanh rice field

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Currently, residents in the province are using rice seeds imported from other units and localities, as no enterprise or cooperative yet self-produces rice seeds characteristic of the Mường Thanh rice field. The lack of a stable indigenous seed source not only makes production dependent on external supply but also becomes a concern for the entire agricultural sector.
  • 'Culture takes root in community life

    Culture takes root in community life

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - Enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of residents is a key task in building cohesive, culturally rich communities. With that goal, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Điện Biên province has implemented a wide range of grassroots - focused activities, contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values and fostering a healthy, sustainable cultural environment in every village and neighborhood.
  • 'Na Son arouses spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement

    Na Son arouses spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Na Son commune was established based on the merger of Na Son commune, Keo Lôm commune, and Điện Biên Đông town. After the merger, Na Son commune still faces many difficulties: An asynchronous infrastructure, a high poverty rate, and continuous natural disasters... But it is precisely in these hardships that the spirit of studying and following President Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style has become a spiritual anchor, creating the strength of solidarity and the aspiration for change.