Khuoi Ky has only 14 stilt-houses, each like a fortress because they are all built from rocks. Other structures in the village are also made of rock, such as fences, dams, mills and stoves.
Tay people in Trung Khanh worship rocks, which are believed to be gods who protect people from the severity of nature. Tay people regard rocks as the beginning of life and the center of the universe. They believe humans are born from rocks and turn into rocks after they die.
. With a rocky mountain at the back and a stream in the front, Khuoi Ky boasts 14 rock houses in an area of 10,000m2. |
The stilt-houses were built in the late 16th century when the Mac built ramparts in Cao Bang to protect the northern border, according to the management board of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. The stilt-houses were built from rocks of different sizes using limestone mixed with sand. The houses were solid with walls as thick as 30 centimeters or more.
Khuoi Ky rock village has become a cultural symbol of the Tay. It shows the beautiful architecture and original customs and habits of the ethnic group. The village has been recognized as a typical ethnic cultural village by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.