Artisan in Muong Qua

(Baonghean.vn) - Having been fascinated by the folk songs, dances and musical instruments of his people since childhood, this artist has contributed to preserving one of the cultural values ​​of the Thai people in the Western region of Nghe An.

The house of artisan Luong Van Nghiep (born in 1957) is quietly located in the middle of Cang village, Mon Son commune (Con Cuong). He shared with visitors: “Since I was born, I have been immersed in lullabies, the gentle melodies of the khen and the pi. When I grew up a little, I followed my father and mother to the village festival, the sounds and melodies of the festival gradually seeped into my blood and became a passion without me realizing it...”.

Artisan Luong Van Nghiep and the panpipe - a typical musical instrument of the Thai people.

Fascinated by the folk songs, dances and musical instruments of his people, the young Thai boy devoted himself to learning how to sing, dance and play gongs, play the flute and carve the grooves, showing his musical talent early on. Although still young, Luong Van Nghiep has become a “tree” of the village’s arts, trusted and loved by the villagers and spared no effort in teaching the precious treasures of Thai ethnic folk culture.

At the age of 18, Luong Van Nghiep joined the army. During his years in the army, the young soldier was loved by his comrades for his sincere and open lifestyle, his artistic talent, and his ability to bring everyone joyful and exciting moments. His comrades admired him because on the journeys of the field, every time he stopped by the forest, Luong Van Nghiep used a knife to cut bamboo pieces, making them into beautiful panpipes and pipes, playing pleasant melodies, making all the hardships and fatigue seem to disappear.

Artisan Luong Van Nghiep (middle) and Cang villagers are engrossed in the rhythmic and graceful bamboo dance.

After returning to his hometown after being discharged from the army, Luong Van Nghiep became the Secretary of the village Youth Union, actively participating in the youth movement, especially the cultural and artistic movement. That was the reason why the commune leaders chose him as the officer in charge of culture. He devoted himself to his work, the cultural and artistic movement of Mon Son commune developed strongly, becoming a "bright spot" of the district and the province thanks in part to his efforts, intelligence and enthusiasm.

For many years, the commune's art troupe was the core of the Con Cuong District Mass Art Troupe, participating in the Sen Village Singing Festival and the Cultural and Artistic Performances of Ethnic Minorities and winning high prizes. People called him the "prisoner and village bearer", because as a cultural officer, he had to follow the movement all year round, and housework and farming work fell on the shoulders of his wife and children.

Returning to the fields and the fields, to the livelihood of a farmer in the highlands, but for him, the passion for traditional music never fades. It has permeated his veins, is his flesh and blood and has become a part of life.

Artist Luong Van Nghiep is absorbed in the Lam-Vong dance.

In his spare time, he often goes into the forest to collect bamboo and wood to make musical instruments, and then instructs children in singing, dancing and playing the flute. On summer days, his house is filled with the sounds of children, and children in the village come to him to learn about the knowledge and skills of traditional music. Every year, Con Cuong district organizes classes to teach the making and use of Thai ethnic musical instruments, and the person invited is none other than artisan Luong Van Nghiep.

Artist Luong Van Nghiep is currently the Chairman of the Thai Folk Song Club in Cang Village. His club has always been the core of the Commune and District National Music Group, bringing home many high prizes at festivals, exchanges and performances at the district and provincial levels.

Mr. Luong Van Nghiep plays the xi xo lo, which is also a typical musical instrument of the Thai people.

The award-winning programs and performances were all collected and staged by him, expressing their own unique features and imbued with national identity. In 2015, Mr. Luong Van Nghiep was welcomed with much joy, first of all, the Cang Village Thai Folk Song Club was selected by the industry as a provincial model. Next, Mr. Nghiep himself was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan by the state, a worthy recognition of the efforts and intelligence he has contributed over the past decades.

“I have another joy, my granddaughter Luong Thi Thu Hoai (born in 2005), is also very passionate about singing, especially Thai folk songs, she can also use many traditional musical instruments. In 2014, Hoai was present in the Con Cuong District Ethnic Minority Cultural and Artistic Group to attend the Provincial Ethnic Minority Cultural and Artistic Festival and was awarded the title of promising young folk singer” - artist Luong Van Nghiep shared.

Cong Kien