During traditional festivals of the Muong ethnic people, danh cu, together with other folk games, helps create a joyful atmosphere, strengthen community bonds and revive ethnic cultural identity. (Photo: VNA)Beyond being a recreational activity, danh cu reflects community spirit, dexterity, tactical thinking and physical strength. (Photo: VNA)The team whose spinning top stops first loses the match. (Photo: VNA)Danh cu is usually played between two groups or two competing teams. (Photo: VNA)After launching the spinning top, players from each team throw their tops forcefully to hit those of the opposing team, aiming to stop them from spinning. (Photo: VNA)Players wind a string around the spinning top and pull it sharply to set it spinning on the ground. (Photo: VNA)The game is typically played on flat, earthen ground, with the participation of both adults and young people, creating a lively community atmosphere. (Photo: VNA)During the game, a Muong woman forcefully throws her spinning top to strike her opponent’s, causing it to stop spinning. (Photo: VNA)Muong ethnic women are very good at the traditional danh cu game. (Photo: VNA)The cu (spinning top) is usually made of hard wood and carefully shaped so that it can spin for a long time on the ground. (Photo: VNA)
Muong folk spinning-top game enlivens festivals in Phu Tho
In the cultural life of the Muong ethnic group in the northern province of Phu Tho, the spinning-top game (danh cu) is one of several traditional folk games—alongside crossbow shooting, tug of war, raft racing and the con throwing game (nem con)—regularly held during local festivals.
