At the end of this year, when the H’Mong people in Son La province are preparing to celebrate their traditional New Year, with good news arriving for the local people. A population of 200 ancient tea trees in Be village, Ta Xua commune were recognised as a heritage tree.
A ceremony to receive the title "Heritage Tree" took place under an ancient tea tree. (Photo:vacne.org.vn)
According to Mua A Vang, Head of the Be village, local people earned their living from tea from many generations. There are more than 1,500 age-old tea trees in the enire village, of which 200 trees are ancient trees, with a lifespan of nearly 300 years, and a trunk diameter of 30 cm. On the occasion of being awarded recognition, local people took part in many exciting and joyful activities such as: a tea picking contest, a tea drying contest, a singing contest and a dancing contest.
H’Mong men and women dancing with ken (horn) and umbrella during the ceremony.
Harvesting on old tea trees
Drying tea by a wooden stove right next to the cliff
The image of the tea tree has been associated with the village and generations of local people.