Unique dances of H’mong ethnic minority people in Yen Bai

Culture

Unique dances of H’mong ethnic minority people in Yen Bai

Thursday, March 26, 2020

YBO - Yen Bai is home to about 82,000 people, with the H’mong ethnic minorities forming the fourth largest population in the province, including four groups namely Mong Hoa, Mong Den, Mong Trang and Mong Do. They live mostly in Van Chan, Tram Tau and Mu Cang Chai districts.

Visiting H’mong villages in Yen Bai today, we do not only see a facelift in their daily life but also the richness and originality of their culture, especially traditional beliefs, festivals and dances.

The H’mong ethnic minority communities possess a treasury of strong and vibrant folk dances reflecting the heart and soul of mountainous tribes. Most popular among their traditional dances are "khen” dance (called "tha kenh” in H’mong language) and "senh tien” dance.

For a long time, "khen” panpipe, a traditional musical instrument that an H’mong man cannot live without. He brings it to any places - the field, a market or a village festival, and uses it to reveal what is in his heart and show off his moves in "tha kenh” dance.

Khen dance performances are always fun to help people forget a busy and hardworking day as well as hardship in life and present love and friendship.

If khen dance showcases the gentility and strength of a tribal man, "senh tien” dance is for everybody, making all people get closer to each other.

"Senh tien” dance, also known as "gay tien,” is performed by a pair or 4 – 8 boys and girls with a musical instrument called "senh tien” stick which combines clapper, rasp and jingle made from three pieces of bamboo and old coins.

While dancing, "dancers" swing the stick and touch it on their legs, shoulders or arms to make the coins ring. The dance is a harmonious mixture of dancing moves and the uniqueness of the "senh tien” stick that is only seen in H’mong culture.

Thanh Tuu

Other news

Logo design contest for Mu Cang Chai District.

Artist Luong Xuan Doan, President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association (center), and the judging panel reviewing contest submissions.

After a seven-month launch period, the organizing committee of the Logo Design Contest for Mu Cang Chai District (Yen Bai Province) received 151 submissions from across the country.

Mu Cang Chai Preserves Ethnic Cultural Identity

A vibrant performance showcasing Mong cultural heritage at the 2024 Paragliding Festival in Mu Cang Chai.

Mu Cang Chai district, with nearly 96% of its population from ethnic minorities, includes 89.4% Mong people, who preserve rich cultural traditions such as the Gau Tao festival, the New Rice Offering, wedding customs, and traditional dance and music…

Yen Bai sees nearly 52% increase in tourism despite challenges

Tourists enjoying the golden rice terrace season in Mu Cang Chai.

Despite a 40% drop in tourist numbers in September due to the impact of Typhoon No. 3, Yen Bai welcomed over 1.114 million visitors in the first ten months of 2024—a 51.58% increase year-over-year.

New Rice Offering Ceremony at Nhuoc Son Temple, Chau Que Ha Commune

The New Rice Offering Ceremony at Nhuoc Son Temple is held annually on the 20th day of the 9th lunar month (20/9).

Recently, at the Nhuoc Son Temple, a national cultural and historical site located in Ngoc Chau Hamlet, Chau Que Ha Commune, Van Yen District, the New Rice Offering Ceremony was held to honor the great contributions of General Ha Chuong of the Tay ethnic group. The ceremony also conveyed wishes for a life of prosperity, warmth, and happiness.

Culture