Preserving the diversity of traditional folk art forms

Thanh Hoa is a land that still preserves many unique intangible cultural heritages of 7 ethnic groups living together. Among them, the most prominent are the customs, practices, folk beliefs, folk songs, folk dances, games, folk performances... This is the pride as well as the responsibility of all levels, sectors, and localities in preserving and promoting those precious cultural values.

Preserving the diversity of traditional folk art forms Art performance of Thai ethnic people at the 2024 Nang Han festival and receiving the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Van Xuan commune (Thuong Xuan).

Mr. Le Huu Giap, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Thuong Xuan district, said: "As a district with a large population of Thai ethnic people, Thuong Xuan still preserves many traditional folk art forms, typically, bamboo rattling, bamboo jumping, gongs, throwing balls, pushing sticks, tug of war, swinging, bamboo jumping... Among those folk art forms, gongs are indispensable traditional cultural features in the daily life of the Thai ethnic people. Gongs are national percussion instruments, the bigger the gong, the lower the sound, the smaller the gong, the higher the sound. In a gong set, the main gong (or mother gong) is the most important. The gong set in Thuong Xuan commonly has 5 gongs, hung on a wooden rack, arranged from big to small, the gong beaters are men. When playing gongs, the artisans always use body intonation to express in accordance with each melody. People often play gongs during holidays and Tet. of any village, hamlet or family that has a funeral. There are many different ways to play gongs and cymbals, and each way gives a different feeling and nuance. The sound of gongs used for community activities is clear and cheerful; the sound of gongs used in festivals is urgent; the sound of gongs used in grave-leaving ceremonies is slow and melancholy...".

In order to preserve and promote traditional folk art forms of the Thai ethnic group, as well as other ethnic groups living in the area, the district has creatively and flexibly implemented many solutions such as: propagating about the preservation of intangible culture for people to raise awareness; inventorying and establishing scientific records of intangible cultural heritage in the locality to have effective conservation and promotion plans; having incentive mechanisms for artisans, individuals and families who have contributed to preserving national cultural heritages...

Hoang Hoa is also a district that has restored many traditional folk art forms such as: singing in the army, Cheo, Tuong, Chau Van singing, folk games and performances, such as: ethnic wrestling, boat racing, Cheo Trai, festival drums... To preserve and promote these traditional folk art forms, the district has issued a plan to implement the Project "Preserving and promoting the value of ranked relics and intangible cultural heritage in Hoang Hoa district, period 2023-2025". In which, promote the collection and restoration of folk songs and dances among the people to meet practical needs; build traditional art groups and teams, replicate model points; actively teach local children to inherit intangible cultural heritage. Along with that, continue to organize activities such as folk music and dance festivals, competitions, mass art performances, art club festivals...

Many other localities in the province such as Ngoc Lac, Ba Thuoc, Vinh Loc... have been preserving a variety of traditional folk art forms from customs, practices, beliefs to folk songs, dances, games, and folk performances. Talking about preserving the value of traditional folk art forms, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, Director of Thanh Hoa Cultural - Cinema Center, said: "Traditional folk art forms are crystallized in the process of living, working and producing of ethnic groups living together in the province. Through many generations, up to now, traditional folk art forms have been preserved and increasingly affirmed their role as a bond connecting the community, improving the cultural and spiritual life of the people. Therefore, in recent times, all levels and sectors, especially the center, have had many creative, flexible and effective ways to spread traditional folk art forms in the community. Since the beginning of 2024, the center has coordinated with the districts: Ngoc Lac, Ha Trung, Dong Son, Vinh Loc to organize training courses, choreography, practice and support props and costumes for art troupes in localities. In particular, the center has also organized Organize the 20th Thanh Hoa Province Ethnic Culture Festival - 2024 with many activities imbued with the cultural identity of regions such as: folk art performances and traditional costume demonstrations; organize "Folk Art Festival - Highland Market 2024" to introduce and promote customs, practices, cultural identity, tourism potential and strengths of localities.

It can be seen that Thanh Hoa province with its diverse traditional folk art forms, if well preserved and promoted, will not only contribute positively to the local socio-economic development but also enrich the nation's precious cultural heritage.

Article and photos: Nguyen Dat

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