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

  • 'New direction for Điện Biên agricultural products

    New direction for Điện Biên agricultural products

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - In the context of digital transformation spreading strongly to all fields of socio-economic life, bringing agricultural products to e-commerce platforms is becoming an inevitable trend. As a new transaction method, e-commerce opens up a vast market space, removing geographical barriers that previously restricted the consumption ability of highland agricultural products.
  • 'How Điện Biên’s villages are building more modern, civil society

    How Điện Biên’s villages are building more modern, civil society

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The movement “All people unite to build a cultured lifestyle” and the campaign “All people join hands to build new-style rural areas and modern urban communities” have brought visible changes to social life across Điện Biên province. Through practical, community based actions, these efforts are reshaping local lifestyles and fostering modern, culturally rich, and civilized communities.
  • 'Điện Biên’s socio-economy in 2025 seen with bright spots

    Điện Biên’s socio-economy in 2025 seen with bright spots

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - In 2025, with proactiveness, flexibility, and decisiveness in administration, along with the efforts of the entire political system and the companionship of the business community and the people, Điện Biên province achieved many outstanding results in implementing socio-economic development goals. Important indicators all increased quite well compared to the previous year, creating an important foundation for the province to steadily enter a new development phase.
  • 'Digitizing policy credit management

    Digitizing policy credit management

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Faced with the increasingly strong digital transformation situation, the Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) in Mường Chà has deployed many new technology solutions to improve credit management efficiency and facilitate people during the transaction process. One of the important steps is the application of software for interest collection and online policy credit management via smartphones.
  • 'Promptly resolving voter recommendations

    Promptly resolving voter recommendations

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Resolving voter recommendations is a key task, demonstrating the listening spirit and responsibility of the government towards the people. The Điện Bien provincial People’s Council also strengthens inspection and supervision, ensuring each recommendation is handled with the right authority and on time.
  • 'Điện Biên in cloud hunting season

    Điện Biên in cloud hunting season

    TRAVEL -
    ĐBP - Every late autumn and early winter, when cold winds start to sweep in, it is also the time Điện Biên dons the magical cloak of a sea of clouds - the most beautiful season of the year for nature lovers and explorers.
  • 'Farmers change mindset, enhance production value

    Farmers change mindset, enhance production value

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Using modern machinery and equipment in production processes; transforming crop and livestock structures with high economic value; and changing business methods are practices actively implemented by farmers in Điện Biên province. Thereby showing the change in farmers’ thinking regarding production, economic development, and sustainable poverty reduction.
  • 'Ensuring food safety

    Ensuring food safety

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The health sector of Điện Biên province currently manages more than 2,100 food production, trading, and catering service establishments. In the context where food of unknown origin remains complex on the market, creating significant challenges for food safety and hygiene assurance.
  • 'Rising like forest trees

    Rising like forest trees

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Located amidst the vast green forest, for generations, the community of ethnic groups in A Pa Chải village, Sín Thầu commune has always been resilient, overcoming difficulties to gradually create changes at the border tri-junction. Like forest trees reaching high, for the people here, it seems the harsher nature is, the stronger human determination becomes.