The echo of Phu Khe royal festival drums

In Hoang Phu commune (Hoang Hoa), no one knows when the festival drum sound originated, but until now it has been preserved by generations of descendants and resounds every time the village organizes festivals or important events of the commune or district. For the people here, the festival drum is an indispensable part of spiritual life.

The echo of Phu Khe royal festival drums Phu Khe Royal Tuong and Drum Club plays drums to serve the ritual teams at the Phu Khe Village's Ky Phuc Festival in 2024.

We had the opportunity to visit Hoang Phu commune at the exact time of the Phu Khe village festival (from the 16th to the 20th of the second lunar month). Right from the beginning of the village, we could clearly hear the sound of the festival drums, urging the footsteps of people from all over the roads to the village temple to watch the ritual teams. For the people here, the sound of the festival drums has a strange attraction and ability to gather and connect the community. Perhaps that is why the people of Hoang Phu commune have a saying from ancient times: "Men hear the sound of the drums with one heart/ Women hear the sound of the drums and carry their husbands on their backs and go".

According to the elders in the village, in the past, the royal festival drum was used in ceremonies, court meetings, or to urge the army. Until now, the festival drum is used in the village's ceremonies and major cultural and political events of the commune and district. The characteristics of the Phu Khe royal festival drum include 5 melodies: music, procession drum (18 beats), welcome drum (4 beats), dinh dinh drum (12 beats) and drum with drumsticks (9 chorus beats). Of which, the 9-beat drum with drumsticks is considered the most difficult. When performing the festival drum, the artists not only have to keep the right rhythm, be decisive, and show the exciting atmosphere, but also have to combine movements such as: drumstick dancing, turning, changing drum position, etc. so that the performance not only has the timbre but also the choreography becomes attractive to the audience.

The royal festival drums have many difficult techniques, but perhaps born and raised through festival drums, now Mr. Le Van Huan (32 years old, Trung Tay village) has mastered all types of drums and has had the honor of participating in many important events of the village and commune. Mr. Huan said: "Since I was little, I followed my father to the village temple to practice, witnessing the uncles and aunts beating the drums every time the village had a festival, I always longed to join the drum team. Now that that wish has come true, every time I participate in serving the village's, commune's ceremonies or important events of my hometown, I still feel extremely proud and moved".

It is known that in order to preserve and promote this art form, in September 2003, the Phu Khe Royal Tuong and Drum Club was established, with 20 members participating. Up to now, after more than 20 years of operation, the Club has not only brought the sound of drums to the people of Thanh Hoa but also resounded to many other localities in the country, such as: Hanoi , Phu Tho, Nghe An,...

Artisan Le Minh Thiet (75 years old), Head of the Phu Khe Royal Tuong and Drum Club, shared: “I and the members of the Club are extremely honored and proud that the Phu Khe Royal Drum has been played in the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi and many major cultural events in the district and province. For the people of Hoang Phu commune, the Phu Khe Royal Drum is a cultural beauty that needs to be preserved, promoted and is a bond that connects the community. The good news is that to this day, the drum has been widely accepted and loved by the people, including students in schools in Hoang Phu commune. Thanks to that, the Phu Khe Royal Tuong and Drum Club has always been continued and succeeded by the younger generation. Up to now, the Club has been maintained for more than 20 years, with the participation of 36 members, and the practice and performance work has been increasingly deployed and implemented effectively.”

For artisan Le Minh Thiet, festival drums are “blood”, “flesh”, and the breath of life. Therefore, now that he is old and his legs cannot move quickly after the incident, with his passion and concern for the development of Phu Khe royal festival drums, he still diligently organizes daily practice sessions for the people in the commune right at his home. Along with that, he and the members of the club are ready to teach students of schools and cultural and artistic clubs in the district when needed.

Before saying goodbye to us, the President of the Phu Khe Royal Drum Club, Le Minh Thiet, suddenly fell silent for a few seconds and then said: "I don't want the sound of the royal drum to go with us when we are a hundred years old, so while I am still healthy, I will continue to teach my children and grandchildren... so that the sound of the Phu Khe Royal Drum will still resonate until tomorrow."

Article and photos: Hoai Anh

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