Preserving the Soong Co melody of the San Diu people

For generations, the San Diu people have been famous for their rich cultural and spiritual life, the most distinctive of which is the Soong Co melody - a national intangible cultural heritage, the pride of the whole community. In Dai Dinh commune, Phu Tho province, that melody still resonates in the midst of modern life, reminding today's descendants of their roots and cultural values ​​that cannot be lost.

Every afternoon, at the Dai Dinh Commune Cultural House, the bustling drumbeats resound, blending with the smooth songs of the members of the Soong Co Singing Club. In the simple space, the melodious voices: "I wish oranges could compare to lemons, I wish you could compare to me in the same house; I wish we had the same mother and father, I wish we had the same entrance and exit..." seem to bring listeners back to ancient memories, where love, humanity and homeland blend together in each simple yet profound melody. Each lyric, each rhythm is not only an expression of emotions but also contains an optimistic and life-loving spirit, reflecting the rich soul of the San Diu people through many generations.

Soong Co singing - the cultural beauty of the San Diu people

According to the elders, Soong Co has a history of hundreds of years, passed down through folk tales, legends and love-making festivals. In San Diu language, "soong" means "singing", "co" means "singing" - combined to form "singing", a form of antiphonal singing imbued with national identity. The lyrics are rich, from love stories to praises of homeland, country, labor and life. In traditional festivals, San Diu boys and girls often sing antiphonal singing all night long, starting with greetings, offering betel and water, then moving on to love-making, expressing love and ending with a lingering farewell. Those singing nights are not only an occasion to exchange and make friends but also an opportunity for San Diu people to share their feelings, preserve beautiful customs and strengthen community solidarity.

Ms. Luong Thi Ba, Soong Co Singing Club of Dai Dinh commune, shared that preserving heritage does not stop at remembering the lyrics and singing correctly, but more importantly, passing it on to the younger generation. The club was established in 2020 and currently has more than 50 members of many ages, of which nearly 20 are students. Every week, members gather at the cultural house or private home to learn to sing, practice their voices and learn San Diu language together. “We always try to maintain regular meetings, especially with children. When they understand the meaning of Soong Co, they will love and be more proud of their ethnic culture.”

Not only adults are passionate about preserving it, the younger generation in Dai Dinh is also increasingly interested in this traditional song. Nguyen Thanh Dat, a student at Bo Ly Secondary School, shared: “As a San Diu ethnic child, I really love the Soong Co song. Thanks to the dedicated teaching of our grandmothers and aunts, our singing lessons have never been interrupted.”

Currently, the Dai Dinh commune government always identifies the preservation and promotion of the value of Soong Co tunes as one of the key tasks in developing local culture. In addition to support from the province and district, every year the commune allocates funds for club activities, expands membership and organizes exchanges and performances. Elderly artisans are given the opportunity to teach the younger generation, while students are encouraged to participate in performances in cultural programs and festivals. Thanks to that, the Soong Co singing movement in Dai Dinh is spreading more and more widely. Not only does it help people become more attached and love each other, but it also arouses national pride and awareness of heritage preservation in the community.

Soong Co singing is performed and presented on many important occasions, demonstrating the unique characteristics of the San Diu people.

Dai Dinh commune is gradually combining the conservation of Soong Co with the development of community tourism . On important occasions, Soong Co singing sessions are organized to serve tourists, introducing the unique culture of the San Diu people. The image of San Diu boys and girls in traditional costumes singing in the mountains and forests of Tam Dao has become a highlight attracting visitors.

Putting Soong Co into tourism activities not only helps spread cultural values ​​but also opens up a direction for sustainable economic development, bringing practical benefits to local people.

Le Minh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/bao-ton-lan-dieu-soong-co-cua-nguoi-san-diu-242694.htm