Historical Site of Hồ Village Communal House

23/12/2024 49 0
Hồ Village Communal House is one of the prominent historical sites in Hồng Kỳ village (formerly Hồ village), Thọ Thanh commune, Thường Xuân district, Thanh Hóa province. Located on a spacious and elevated area in the center of the village, Hồ Village Communal House was built when the village was first established. Visitors to the site can feel the peaceful, warm atmosphere of a traditional Vietnamese rural village.
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Historical Site of Hồ Village Communal House

Hồ Village Communal House is one of the prominent historical sites in Hồng Kỳ village (formerly Hồ village), Thọ Thanh commune, Thường Xuân district, Thanh Hóa province. Located on a spacious and elevated area in the center of the village, Hồ Village Communal House was built when the village was first established. Visitors to the site can feel the peaceful, warm atmosphere of a traditional Vietnamese rural village. Notably, near the communal house stands an ancient tree that is hundreds of years old, still standing strong through time, bearing witness to the many historical ups and downs.

According to oral stories passed down by the elders of the village and recorded in the book “Làng Hồ xưa, thôn Hồng Kỳ nay” (Old Hồ Village, now Hồng Kỳ Village), the Hồ Village Communal House honors two local deities, Thành Hoàng, named Lê Phúc Chân and Lê Phúc Trực. These two men, originally from Phủ Thanh Hóa, arrived during the reign of King Trần Duệ Tông in the year Quý Sửu (1373). The two brothers, Lê Phúc Chân and Lê Phúc Trực, crossed the Chu River and arrived at Ngọc Bối, an area with beautiful natural landscapes and fertile land surrounded by rolling hills. Here, they cleared the land, established a settlement, and developed the region, forming a sustainable community. According to local historical records, in 1478, during the reign of King Lê Thánh Tông, Lê Phúc Thành, a descendant of the Lê family, took the imperial exams and passed, earning the title of Doctor. Therefore, in addition to honoring Lê Phúc Chân and Lê Phúc Trực for founding the village, the people of Hồ village also worship Lê Phúc Thành, a local scholar and official.

Hồ Village Communal House, a Provincial Architectural Art Relic

Hồ Village Communal House has witnessed many historical events of the nation. From 1955 to 1957, it served as the headquarters for Southern troops who were being moved to the North. It was also here that the people of Thọ Thanh commune organized the memorial service for President Hồ Chí Minh. From 1976 to 1980, the site was used as a cooperative warehouse for Thọ Thanh commune. “Before, the area in front of the communal house was shaded by large trees, such as bùi, xui, vang, and pine, with trunks 1-1.5 meters in diameter. Unfortunately, due to the war, many of the large trees were cut down to serve the military and later for schools relocated to higher hills.”

The Hồ Village Communal House was originally built when the village was founded but has deteriorated over time, especially during the war. The most recent restoration took place in 2003, when the damaged, rotten wooden parts were repaired. Like many other communal houses, Hồ Village Communal House once had a gate, a yard, and the main hall, but the gate was demolished, leaving only the yard and the main hall. Notably, the arrangement of ceremonial objects at Hồ Village Communal House differs from other communal houses, as the altar is placed in the rear room, with a three-tiered cement altar platform.

The Space Inside the Communal House

Every year, festivals are held on the 13th of February, the 4th and 5th of April, and the 21st and 22nd of August. The Hồ Village Communal House Festival is organized to honor the contributions of the deities who helped establish the village. This is also an occasion for both the local villagers and those who have moved away to show their gratitude and remember the efforts of their ancestors in clearing the land and founding the village. During these festivals, the rituals and celebrations are held in a solemn manner, fostering community bonds and preserving traditional cultural practices.

The Worship Area

In the collective memory of the Vietnamese people, the image of "the banyan tree, the water’s edge, and the communal house yard" remains ever-present and evokes a sense of deep familiarity. Throughout the changing tides of history, Hồ Village Communal House in Thọ Thanh commune has not only been a place for gatherings and cultural exchanges but also a symbol of community solidarity. With its unique historical and cultural value, Hồ Village Communal House is not just a tourist destination but also an emblem of community unity. It serves as a place where people come to honor and express gratitude to those who contributed to building the village and their homeland.

With its long history and architecture that reflects strong cultural marks, Hồ Village Communal House was recognized as a provincial architectural art relic in 2013. It is not only a place of worship for the local deities but also a symbol of the enduring cultural traditions and folk beliefs of the local people.

 

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