Gongs, the soul of the Muong people.
(Baonghean.vn) - Muong gongs are considered sacred treasures, symbolizing both spiritual and material aspects. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was one gong for every 20 Muong people; now, there is one gong for every 120 people. It is estimated that at the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10,000 gongs, but by the end of the century, only 4,000 remained, and the number is decreasing day by day...
(Baonghean.vn) - Muong gongs are considered sacred treasures, symbolizing both spiritual and material aspects. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was one gong for every 20 Muong people; now, there is one gong for every 120 people. It is estimated that at the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10,000 gongs, but by the end of the century, only 4,000 remained, and the number is decreasing day by day...
The Muong gong is the most sublime and quintessential symbol of Muong folk art. The Muong people cherish and protect their gongs as family heirlooms.
When used as musical instruments, Muong gongs are arranged in sets. A set consists of at least 4, 6, or 8 gongs. A complete set of 12 gongs is divided into 3 sets (4 gongs in each set). The "Chieng The" (high-pitched gongs) are used to change the timbre and rhythm, creating a lively atmosphere for the gong ensemble. The "Chieng Bong" (larger than the "Chieng The," with a mid-pitched sound, plays a leading role in performing the pieces of the gong ensemble. The "Chieng Dam" (large, low-pitched gong) is the opening piece for the ensembles and maintains the rhythm for the gong ensemble.
Dau Dien Ngoc