Preserving the spirit of the sacrificial drum

(Baonghean) - The sound of drums has been deeply ingrained in the cultural and spiritual consciousness of every Vietnamese person for generations. In solemn ceremonies or summer festivals, the deep, resonant sound of drums creates an atmosphere of majesty, increasing national pride…

Following National Highway 7, 55 km northeast of Vinh City, we arrived at Hop Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), considered the place that has preserved the sacred ceremonial drums for generations. Hop Thanh still retains the solemn, majestic, and ancient features of the past with its banyan trees, riverside, and communal house. Along with Tanh Pagoda and Tam Toa Temple dedicated to Ly Nhat Quang and the statue of the Golden Turtle deity, the ceremonial drum-beating competition at Phung Luat communal house on the 14th day of the first lunar month each year is considered a unique cultural feature and a source of pride for the local people. Phung Luat communal house – the venue for the competition – is where the women of the commune sewed flags to serve the uprising to seize power in the district in August 1945, and is currently being considered by the commune for recognition as a national historical relic.

Drum festival in Hop Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). Photo: Internet

The ceremonial drumming competition is organized with the aim of creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere to celebrate the Party and the Spring Festival, preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of the homeland. Through the competition, the spirit of solidarity and exchange of knowledge among clans is strengthened, fostering love for the village and encouraging children to connect with their roots. Participants are the major clans residing in Hop Thanh commune. Each clan forms a team of at least three members, all descendants of the clan, responsible for three areas: large drums, small drums, and the nao drum.

In the competition, each participating team plays three rounds of ceremonial drumming, lasting no more than 12 minutes. Each clan participating in the competition has a drum conductor. This person is responsible for the ritual before the ancestral altar and strikes the large drum, also known as the thunder drum, three times with nine beats to begin the competition. According to the locals, the thunder drum is an ancient drum, used only for sacred ceremonies such as the Lunar New Year or the first full moon of the year. The drum body is made from the core of a 300-year-old jackfruit tree. The buffalo whose hide is used to make the drumhead must be worshipped beforehand and carefully selected. After the drum conductor strikes the three rounds with nine beats, the other members of the team begin to set the rhythm and play the drum music. Participants must wear traditional long robes and headscarves, in accordance with the customs and traditions of their ancestors. Playing the ceremonial drums must not only be in rhythm but also be combined with drumstick movements that are beautiful and graceful, harmonizing with the soulful melody of the drum music. A competition consists of 6 parts: Co Tam Thong (1 part); Khai Chinh Co (1 part of 9 beats); Tieu Nhac Tac (1 part); Trong Te (1 part); Trong Tan (5-7 beats); Trong Chau (5-7 beats).

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Nguyen Huu Chau (72 years old), a respected elder and judge for the ceremonial drumming competition. When asked about the methods and unique features of the competition, he enthusiastically said: “I’ve seen the village have its own ceremonial drumming competition since I was young. Each commune or clan has its own way of playing the rhythm. The rhythm can be fast and sometimes slow, but the goal is to captivate people and guide them towards goodness. The person playing the large drum must match the rhythm of the smaller drum to create a sacred and inspiring sound.”

The ceremonial drumming competition is a harmonious gathering of generations. Each clan's drumming team includes both men and women, with participation from many generations, from elderly elders to young children. The organizing committee offers prizes to encourage participation from younger generations in the village and clan, such as the contestant with the loudest drum, the most promising young contestant, or the most outstanding female contestant. The competition not only involves 14 clans in the area but also attracts thousands of people from within and outside the commune to watch and cheer, creating an atmosphere of unity and "national prosperity and people's peace."

Mr. Hoang Trong Ly (Chairman of the People's Committee of Hop Thanh Commune) affirmed: "The annual ceremonial drum competition is highly appreciated by the people for its spiritual and cultural value. In the future, drawing on experience from previous competitions, the commune will develop regulations for the competition. Furthermore, we will expand the scale and rituals of the ceremonial drumming to resemble those in churches, such as combining drumming with incense offerings, chanting prayers, and drumming rituals; and organize exchanges with neighboring communes. Each commune has its own way of playing the ceremonial drums with different rhythms, thereby enriching the competition through exchange and interaction."

Khac Thinh

Ha Giang