At the end of the 18th century, in the land of Muong Kho (now Dien Trung commune), an outstanding Muong monk appeared, that is, the Duke of Kham, the Chief Marshal of Thanh Hoa town, Ha Cong Thai – he was a man of great talent. Great credit to the Nguyen dynasty. His relationship with Lord Nguyen Anh was built when he was still at Gia Dinh border town. He not only helped King Gia Long preserve the western border area of Thanh Hoa, but also helped the king in his long march to the North. Ha took over Thang Long and unified the country. His merits and reputation for the Nguyen Dynasty will be preserved in history books forever.
On this occasion, Muong Kho Festival was honored as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
To remember the merits of the Duke of Muong Kho, the hero of the nation and the heroes and scholars of Muong Kho who have contributed to the country, at the end of the 19th century, the people and the Ha Cong family built a temple. Ong Temple (also known as Meo Pagoda), in Muong Do village, Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province. Since then, this place has become a spiritual place of Muong Kho land in particular, Ba Thuoc district in general and the Muong Kho Festival began to appear from here.
Every year, on January 10, communes in Muong Kho and Ba Thuoc district (Thanh Hoa) joyfully organize the Muong Kho Festival. This is one of the unique festivals, containing many unique and ancient cultural features, a cultural and spiritual tourism product held annually – a highlight in the spiritual cultural journey, remembering Origin, own brand of Muong Kho land.
In particular, within the framework of the festival there are performances of Czech charms and a concert of 460 gongs. Muong girls in national costumes carrying 460 gongs and gongs while walking, performing, singing and dancing created a large-scale choir performance, imbued with national identity, attracting many viewers.
Coming to Muong Kho Festival, people and tourists will enjoy and be immersed in a unique spiritual cultural space of traditional rituals, showing respect to gods, heroes, and heroes. The martyrs have been closely associated with mountains and rivers, protecting and supporting them so that the rains are favorable, the crops are lush, and all people are safe, prosperous, happy, and can experience cultural and artistic activities. Gymnastics and sports are rich in cultural identity.
To prepare for the festival, prestigious people in the village and Muong people carefully prepare offerings such as: buffalo, pig, chicken, fish, banh chung, wine, rice, fruits… arranged. into 18 trays (10 savory dishes, 2 banh chung trays and 6 five-fruit trays).
Coming to the Muong Kho Festival, people and tourists can immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of the highland market and enjoy typical dishes of the Muong ethnic people in Thanh Hoa.
When the preparation work was completed, Muong Kho people chose a good time to carry out the palanquin procession ceremony to Meo Pagoda – the place to worship the ancestors of the Ha Cong family. Leading the procession is the gong and gong team who walk and perform, followed by the halberd, bowls and palanquins with parasols.
Coming to the 2024 Muong Kho festival, visitors can immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of the highland market and enjoy typical dishes of the Muong ethnic people such as can wine, bamboo-tube rice, bitter soup… Special games and performances such as tossing bamboo baskets, playing plaques, cockfighting, swinging, and gong playing.
The palanquin procession at the Muong Kho Festival.
In particular, within the framework of the Festival there are performances of Czech charms and a concert of 460 gongs. Muong girls in national costumes carrying 460 gongs and gongs while walking, performing, singing and dancing created a large-scale choir performance, imbued with national identity, attracting many viewers.
The sound of gongs echoing in the mountains and forests is one of the indispensable things in the Muong Kho festival, expressing the strength and aspirations of the Muong people.
Thousands of people and tourists come to the Muong Kho Festival.
On this occasion, Muong Kho Festival was honored as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This event will contribute to increasing the attractiveness of Ba Thuoc tourism industry, bringing the district’s tourism economy into the development flow of Thanh Hoa tourism.
The 2024 Muong Kho Festival will take place for 2 days, from February 18 to the end of February 19, 2024 (ie the 9th to the 10th day of the first lunar month) with many cultural, artistic, fitness, and recreational activities. sports and many activities to introduce and promote tourism services and products in Ba Thuoc district and neighboring districts.