Preserving cultural identity in Chong Village

(Baonghean) - With nearly 8% of its population being ethnic Tho people, the District People's Mobilization Committee has initiated a model project to encourage people to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Tho people in Chong Village - Nghia Yen commune (Nghia Dan district). This model has contributed to the preservation and promotion of the Tho ethnic group's cultural identity in the area…

For the people of Chong village, Nghia Yen commune, gongs and drums are intimately connected to their daily lives. When Chong village was selected by the District Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department as a model village for preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Tho ethnic group, the villagers actively supported this initiative by preserving the beautiful cultural traditions of gong music and the traditional rice wine drinking culture of the Tho people. During the Spring Festival, the sound of gongs resonates, urging the villagers to come together for the festivities, filling everyone with excitement. Ms. Cao Thi Xum from Chong village, Nghia Yen commune, said: “Gongs and drums have become ingrained in our blood and flesh. Hearing the sound of gongs and drums fills us with joy. When the younger generation had few people who knew how to play them, the elders were very sad. Now that the Party and government have restored them, the sound of gongs and drums is present at all the festivals, and we are happy again…”

The gong festival in Chong village (Nghia Yen, Nghia Dan).

The Chong Village Gong and Folk Song Club was established, with its members responsible for passing on the art of gong playing, the culture of drinking rice wine, and speaking and communicating in the Tho ethnic language to the younger generation. The local mass mobilization committee regularly collaborates with the club to organize festivals, encouraging people to participate, creating a widespread movement in promoting the beauty of Tho culture. Mr. Le Van Hanh – Head of the Mass Mobilization Committee of Nghia Yen commune, said: “Since establishing the model in Chong village, not only the villagers but also people in other villages have seen the movement of gong playing and preserving ethnic culture spread throughout the Thai and Thanh ethnic communities. To date, the entire commune has more than 10 gong clubs. With the aim of preserving the cultural identity of the Tho people, the Nghia Yen commune government and the mass mobilization committee provide financial support for organizing festivals, purchasing gongs, and encouraging women to sew Tho ethnic costumes, etc.”

Mr. Phan Van Phu, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghia Yen commune, said: "After being selected by the District Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department as a pilot area for mobilizing the people to preserve and promote ethnic cultural identity, the Nghia Yen commune government has actively engaged and mobilized mass organizations to effectively carry out propaganda and mobilization work, bringing the cultural movement of ethnic groups in the area to strong development. We always prioritize funding and create all conditions for the cultural movement to develop and spread among all strata of the people."

For the Tho people, gongs, folk songs, and dances are considered places where they express their thoughts and feelings, closely intertwined with their spiritual lives. The implementation of this model for preserving and protecting the Tho cultural identity has truly received the people's support and approval, and it is hoped that in the future, such models will be increasingly replicated throughout Nghia Dan district.

Text and photos:Nhu Trang