Ky Son: Opportunity to preserve musical identity
In the early days of Autumn, we went to the remote border district of Ky Son to witness and feel the joy and happiness of the artisans and students of the music, folk dance and traditional musical instrument performing arts classes sponsored by the Vietnam Academy of Music. It seemed that everyone saw this as an opportunity to systematically teach, learn and receive the "soul" of their nation, so they were all very enthusiastic.
In the early days of Autumn, we went to the remote border district of Ky Son to witness and feel the joy and happiness of the artisans and students of the music, folk dance and traditional musical instrument performing arts classes sponsored by the Vietnam Academy of Music. It seemed that everyone saw this as an opportunity to systematically teach, learn and receive the "soul" of their nation, so they were all very enthusiastic.
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Xoe dance of Mong ethnic boarding students at Ky Son District Boarding Secondary School. |
The first destination is Son Ha village (Ta Ca commune), where classes are held to teach music, folk dance and Mong ethnic musical instruments. From the beginning of the village, you can hear the bustling sounds of the Khen and other musical instruments harmonizing with the Cu Xia tune (a Mong folk song). The class has 15 students of teenage age, who are selected based on the criteria of having talent in music, dancing, singing and knowing how to use musical instruments. The instructors are 5 artisans of the village, who are good at music, using and performing traditional musical instruments skillfully. The content taught is folk melodies such as Lu Tau, Cu Xia, and Lu Con; dances in funerals and how to perform musical instruments such as Tra Kenh, Li Dau, Tra P'Lai, Tra Da, and Tra Co. Artisan Lau Chong Di said: "The young generation now learns very quickly, I just need to say a few words and they will understand and be able to do it. Like this, within two weeks, everyone will be proficient."
Leaving Mong Son Ha village, we went up Pu Nha Thau range, to Huoi Tho village (Huu Kiem commune) to witness the atmosphere of the class teaching music, folk dance and performing ethnic musical instruments of the Khmu people. The organization, quantity, selection of lecturers and students here are similar to those in Son Ha village (Ta Ca commune). The difference here is that the teaching content focuses on lullabies, tom, re re folk songs; housewarming dances, rer rer dances (religious) and musical instruments such as tot pi, tot tom, tot mui, khen, gongs, dao dao. These are the unique features and quintessence in the musical life of the Khmu people residing in Ky Son. Therefore, the youth of Huoi Tho village consider this a lucky opportunity to receive valuable assets and preserve the national cultural identity. Many people who are not eligible for the class still arrange their family work to come to class to "take a class". Some women carry their children on their backs but still diligently practice singing Tom and lullabies. The clear lyrics and rhythmic melody make the children fall asleep.
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Teaching the art of blowing and dancing the Mong flute. |
Saying goodbye to the remote border area of Ky Son, we cherished the hope of returning to this land during the festival season to hear the bustling sound of gongs, the bustling, melodious sounds of musical instruments and enjoy the dances and songs of the Mong, Kho Mu and Thai ethnic groups residing in the far western part of Nghe An.
Cong Kien
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