"Knocking on the floor" is a beautiful and romantic custom, deeply rooted in the emotional lives of some ethnic minority groups in Northwest Vietnam. The clacking sounds echoing under the stilt houses in the dead of night are not just the sounds of bamboo clashing, but also the rhythm of hearts yearning for each other. So what is "knocking on the floor," where does it originate, and what cultural significance lies behind these nighttime knocks? Let's explore below!
What is the custom of poking the floor?
The boy used a stick to tap or poke at the floor (Source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)
What is "poking the floor"? "Poking the floor," or "puk xao" in Thai (puk: to call, to wake; xao: unmarried girl), is a unique Thai custom of expressing affection. At night, young men go to the house of the girl they like and use a small stick, 40-50cm long, to tap or poke the floor where she is sleeping, as a signal of their feelings. If she agrees, she will open the door and invite him inside or outside to talk and confide in him. These conversations can last until morning, providing an opportunity for the young couple to get to know each other before marriage.
Besides the Thai ethnic group, several other ethnic communities in the northern mountainous region, such as the Muong and Tay, also have similar customs to express their feelings. Although the methods differ, these customs reflect the rich spiritual life and the importance placed on emotions in the cultures of these highland ethnic groups.
The meaning behind the custom of poking the floor.
The custom of tapping the floor is not only a romantic way to express affection but also holds profound cultural and social significance in Thai life. First and foremost, it represents respect and subtlety in communication between the two genders. The young man doesn't make noise or disrupt the quiet of the night, but quietly uses a gentle tap to send a signal of love. If the girl doesn't reciprocate, he silently withdraws without hurting anyone, preserving the dignity and self-respect of both parties.
The meaning behind the custom of poking the floor (Source: Son La Provincial Museum)
Secondly, "floor poking" is a form of free courtship, creating opportunities for young couples to proactively get to know each other within a traditional social context, where romantic love is often limited by norms and prejudices from family and community. It provides a rare private space for feelings to blossom naturally and sincerely. Furthermore, the custom of "floor poking" contributes to preserving traditional cultural values and demonstrates the refined and distinctive manners of the ethnic minority communities in the highlands.
Which ethnic groups practice the custom of poking the floor?
The custom of "floor poking" is not only a unique courtship ritual but also reflects the romantic and creative spirit of ethnic communities in mountainous regions. Among them, the Thai people are considered the ethnic group that most clearly preserves and develops this custom.
Thai floor-poking custom
The custom of "poking the floor" is closely intertwined with the cultural life of the Thai people – the third largest ethnic group in Vietnam, with approximately 1.8 million people (according to the 2019 census). They mainly reside in the northwestern provinces such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, and Thanh Hoa. Within the characteristic stilt houses, the custom of "poking the floor" becomes a unique bridge for courtship between young men and women. Although no longer as widespread as before, this custom is still preserved in many remote villages.
The Thai custom of poking the floor (Source: Hanoi Women's Newspaper)
The "floor tapping" ritual usually takes place during the rainy season – a time when the fields are harvested, houses are full of rice and corn, and the villagers live leisurely lives. While the village is asleep, young men bring musical instruments such as flutes, zithers, two-stringed fiddles, or mouth harps, and gently tap on the floor of the girl's house. The rhythmic tapping of the floor, combined with simple songs like, "Wake up, my dear, wake up / It's late at night and I'm only just arriving," is a tender and heartfelt declaration of love. If the girl agrees, they will chat inside the house, in the yard, or by the stream, creating poetic moments amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam.
The floor-piercing custom of the Tay ethnic group.
The Tay people living in provinces such as Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Bac Kan also have similar courtship customs to the "floor poking" ritual, especially in border areas or those influenced by Thai culture. However, these forms are not as widespread or distinctive as among the Thai people. In some villages, Tay boys also go to a girl's house at night, using gentle signals to invite her out for conversation, but it's not necessary to "poke the floor"; they can sing or play the flute from a distance.
The Muong ethnic group's floor-poking custom - The "Visiting Sleep" custom is similar to floor-poking.
The Muong people, who live in Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, and some mountainous provinces in northern Vietnam, have a custom called "sleeping over," which shares many similarities with the Thai people's "floor-tapping " ritual . At night, Muong young men will go to the house of a girl they are interested in, gently tapping the door or floor with a stick to signal. If the girl agrees, they will be invited into the house to chat or even sleep in a private space, but always maintaining decorum and respect.
The custom of "visiting each other's beds" is an opportunity for young men and women to get to know each other thoroughly before marriage. Compared to the Thai custom of "floor poking," this form is usually more relaxed and intimate. However, respect and boundaries in behavior are still preserved according to Muong customs.
Read more: Discover the Muong Cultural Space Museum – A place preserving the essence of Muong culture in Hoa Binh
The origins of the floor-poking custom
The custom of poking the floorboards originates from the daily life associated with the distinctive stilt house architecture of the Thai people. Stilt houses are usually built of wood, tall and airy, with gaps between the floorboards inadvertently becoming a "bridge" for young men to use sticks to poke and send signals to the girls they love.
The origin of the floor-poking custom (Source: Travel & Entertainment)
Historically, the custom of "púc xao" (patting the floor) has existed since ancient times, closely linked to the agricultural life of the Thai people, when they were heavily dependent on nature. During the day, young men and women were busy with farming, so only at night did they have time for private moments. The custom of "púc xao" (patting the floor) emerged as a subtle form of courtship, allowing young men to discreetly awaken young women, opening up opportunities for conversation and getting to know each other while maintaining tact and mutual respect.
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Is floor poking only for couples in love?
The custom of "poking the floor" isn't just for couples already in love; it's also an opportunity for young men and women in the getting-to-know-each-other phase to express their feelings, when "they've found each other attractive and their hearts are at ease." A man might even "poke the floor" without the girl's explicit consent. Many girls, even without feelings for each other, will open their doors to chat as a sign of respect and hospitality. These conversations can last for several nights, helping both sides get to know each other better. If things don't work out, the girl will decline by not responding the next time, and the man will withdraw silently.
Poke the floor to show subtlety in courtship customs (Source: Wedding Blog)
However, this is not an arbitrary act. Usually, the young man only touches the floor after receiving a signal from the girl through her eyes or smile at the market, in the fields, or at festivals. This reflects the subtlety in the courtship culture of the Thai people - freedom yet full of restraint.
The custom of poking the floor in a modern context
Today, with the development of society and the influx of modern lifestyles, the custom of "sticking on the floor" is gradually fading away. Traditional stilt houses have been replaced by sturdy brick houses, and telephones and social media have become common communication tools for young people. Nevertheless, in some remote areas like Muong Khoa (Son La) or Than Uyen (Lai Chau), this custom is still preserved as a unique cultural feature.
Many artisans and elders in the community are striving to pass on folk melodies, traditional musical instruments, and ancient stories. These efforts aim to help the younger generation better understand, appreciate, and preserve a unique courtship custom of a group of ethnic minorities living in the mountains of Northwest Vietnam.
Visitors to the highlands can learn about the custom of "thrusting the floor" through cultural festivals, ethnographic museums, or hands-on experiences. Although not as common as it once was, this custom remains a symbol of simple, romantic love and contributes to the unique beauty of Vietnamese culture. Mai Chau Hideaway Lake Resort hope this information is helpful.