Han Khuong is a traditional festival of Thai ethnic people in Nghia Lo, Muong Lo. This is one of the unique folk art forms of Thai people, which is passed down through generations. This type of art was formed and developed along with the process of forming the traditional cultural identity associated with life, activities, which express the material and spiritual life of the Thai people.

In Thai, Han means bamboo and Khuong is the yard or the soil in the village. Han Khuong means a bamboo floor which is set up in outdoor courtyard. Han Khuong is also called Han Khuong flower floor which is playground for unmarried male and female.

It is an environment for exchanging experience, however the villagers build a floor in the centre area for everyone to participate in. Because in the past the village was sparse with the dense, wild forests and many animals, the floor should be set up in the yard and there is burning fire to avoid beasts and insects.

Floors are made of large bamboo trees. The size of floor is not compulsory, but depends on the conditions of each place. The floor can be about 6m long and 4m wide or more. But for convenience, many square-shaped floors, with an area of ​​about 20 – 30 m2, surrounded by lace-shaped bars and they have a door along with up and down stairs. In the middle of the floor there is a firewood and next to the kitchen there are 5 bamboos.

This tree is considerd as Lunar New Year’s pole of Kinh people. On the tops of the leaves, there are images of ticks, birds, fruits, sausages which are woven with blue and red laces that looks very brilliant. In Han Khuong activity, the Thai people build this tree in the center area, close to the fire, which symbolizes the tower of the sky.  The other four trees are built in four corners of the floor, which symbolizes for the four directions: East, West, South, North. On the floor, there are enough things for the boys and girls such as spinning, knitting, embroidery, etc.

The elders, who have been playing for many years, are often chosen to sit in the middle of the floor, called the host of Han Khuong. These people will support the younger girls in the four corners by their experience singing for many years.

The number of boys and girls participating in Han Khuong is unlimited but usually between 5 and 10 pairs. Thai girls are gracefully in traditional dresses, hairstyles and wear pieu scarves. The boys handle the trumpets to accompany for the love songs. When the light of the fire is up, it is also at the beginning of the Han Khuong night.

Many Thai people have said that when being young, they were taken to Han Khuong festival by their mother. Participating in  the event is also a way to find the marriage mate. Witnessing a Han Khuong activity, we can see the beauty of the soul of the Thai boys and girls. Thereby, the tourist can be introduced the very beautiful features of the Thai community.

 

Photo: Source Internet.