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The stone worship beliefs of Khuoi Ky ancient village
Khuoi Ky is an ancient stone village located in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, more than 80 km from the center of Cao Bang city. This ancient Tay village, over 400 years old, still retains its unique architecture and distinctive culture. Nestled amidst the mountains, Khuoi Ky stone village stands out in the vast, lush green forest landscape. Not only is it attractive because of its ancient stone houses and the lifestyle of the local people, but Khuoi Ky stone village is increasingly attracting tourists with its homestay tourism model.
Khuoi Ky stone village is located more than 80km from the center of Cao Bang city, in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province.
The ancient-looking stone stilt houses add a touch of antiquity and legend to this border region.
Residents of Khuoi Ky village shared: "The village currently comprises 14 households, all of the Tay ethnic group, living in ancient stone stilt houses covering an area of about 1 hectare. These houses are over 400 years old, standing strong and witnessing the many ups and downs of history that have taken place here."
Locals also recount that the houses in Khuoi Ky stone village were built in the 16th century during the Mac Dynasty (1594-1677), resembling sturdy fortresses protecting the border. Each house here possesses a unique architectural beauty, imbued with the legendary and ancient charm of the Northeast region with its many rocky mountains. With their backs against the mountains and the village roads paved with stone, each house also features stone fences. From afar, the stone houses of Khuoi Ky stand out against the green backdrop of the mountains and forests.
When visiting Cao Bang, while exploring famous places like Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave, you certainly can't miss the ancient stone carving village of Khuoi Ky.
Most of the people living in Khuoi Ky village are Tay ethnic. The village currently has 14 households, all living in stilt houses made of stone.
This famous ancient village, over 400 years old, has stood firm, witnessing countless ups and downs of history.
The Tay people in Trung Khanh also have a belief system of worshipping stones. They consider stones as the origin of life and the center of the universe. They believe that humans are born from stone and turn into stone upon death. Therefore, the construction of stone houses stems from these sacred beliefs. In the Tay people's consciousness, mountain stones also represent deities, so a house made of stone will possess the power to protect and shelter the villagers. The enduring existence of these stone stilt houses also contains a valuable message: wherever people are, they will find wonderful harmony if they know how to cherish nature.
Stone is not only used in house construction, but it is also present in many aspects of daily life for the people of Khuoi Ky village, from building house foundations with boulders, stone walls, stone pathways, stone mortars, fences, water dams, and stoves…
The rocks are like guardian spirits, protecting the Tay villagers in Khuoi Ky, Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district.
The Tay people in Trung Khanh have a belief in worshipping stones. In their minds, stones are sacred, like a god that helps protect them from the harshness of nature.
Building a stone house requires a significant amount of time from the initial design to the preparation of materials. The structure of a stone stilt house typically varies in size depending on the number of people living there, but it usually has three sections with different functions. Depending on whether the family is small or large, the house will be built in different sizes to suit their living needs.
The sturdy stone walls are formed by stones of various sizes being fitted together, using a binder made from a mixture of limestone and sand; when completed, the walls can be more than 30cm thick, clearly demonstrating the indigenous character and unique creativity of the Tay ethnic people. The roofs of the stilt houses are covered with yin-yang tiles, giving them a rare, ancient charm.
When the stone village becomes a tourist destination.
Possessing significant tourism potential and advantages, Khuoi Ky stone village is currently promoting community-based tourism, offering homestay accommodations. Visitors can explore the traditional lifestyle of the Tay people in traditional stone stilt houses.
To this day, these ancient stilt houses retain their pristine beauty, bearing the ancient appearance from the Mac Dynasty era, creating a timeless and legendary charm.
Inside a house that is developing a homestay model.
Most homestay businesses in Khuoi Ky village are now fully equipped and comfortable, attracting a significant number of visitors, including both domestic and international tourists. Those who haven't started homestays are also encouraged to work together to develop community tourism. This is an ideal location for a one-night stay before embarking on a journey to explore Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave, located about 3 km from Khuoi Ky village.
Besides admiring the architectural beauty of Khuoi Ky stone village, visitors can also enjoy traditional Tày folk songs, savor traditional dishes of the local Tày people, and experience the unique cultural identity of the Tày people in eastern Cao Bang.
Xuan Dung, a first-time visitor to Khuoi Ky stone village, shared: "On the way to Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave, I was impressed by the isolated village standing out on the provincial road. The yin-yang tiled roofs and stone walls exude an ancient charm. Coming here is not only attractive because of its enduring beauty, shaped by many years of history, but also because it allows you to learn about the local culture of the Tay ethnic people."
Xuan Dung was impressed by the largest stone house in the village.
The locals also added: “In the past, our economy depended mainly on growing corn and rice, and farming on hillside fields. Since tourism started, the lives of all families in the village have become somewhat more prosperous. Besides accommodation, tourists can enjoy meals that are exactly like those of the locals. In addition, there are some local specialties such as sausages, smoked meat, various wild vegetables, and sticky rice with wild berries…”
Currently, this place has become one of the must-visit destinations for exploring local culture when coming to Cao Bang.
Here, visitors can also follow the locals and participate in experiences of the Tay ethnic people's production and labor life: picking bamboo shoots, digging up roots, working in the fields, catching fish, or helping to prepare typical Tay dishes.
The ancient stone village of Khuoi Ky was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a "Typical Traditional Cultural Village of Ethnic Minorities" in 2008. This is also considered a condition and foundation for promoting tourism development in Khuoi Ky to the present day.
The ancient charm of Khuoi Ky stone village, along with the genuine hospitality of its people, attracts many tourists from all over the country. As a result, the ancient village has become an attractive tourist destination, improving the lives of the people of Khuoi Ky and making them increasingly prosperous.
Quickly grasping the trend of promoting tourism development, the locality has formed a community tourism model, with homestay accommodation services in Khuoi Ky village.
