Preserving the art of Aday singing

The club holds its activities on a stage set up in the grounds of the temple in Hamlet 4, Xa Phien Commune. Photo: QUOC HUNG

In 2021, the Aday singing art of the Southern Khmer people in Xa Phien commune was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to many documents, from the Prop-kay style of singing, which involved male and female performers clapping in rhythm while singing back and forth, to the end of the 19th century, performers added and developed new lyrics, improvising to suit all situations and circumstances. The people loved the singing style and the friendly atmosphere with the performers, and named this creation derived from the Prop-kay style Aday singing.

In Xa Phien commune, Long My district, Hau Giang province (formerly), now Xa Phien commune, Can Tho city, Aday singing appeared very early, most notably at Po Thi Vong Sa pagoda. To this day, whenever they have free time from farming, Mr. Danh Ky, the head of the Aday Singing Club in Hamlet 4, Xa Phien commune, Can Tho city, and the club members gather and practice at the pagoda, as a familiar daily routine.

According to many folk artists, Aday is often performed during festivals, gradually becoming a part of family rituals or celebrations in villages and hamlets. Therefore, in addition to the popular songs commonly performed in the rituals of the people, there are also songs close to daily life, such as those encouraging people to unite and build a cultural life. Depending on the context, traditional songs can be used, new lyrics can be written, or even improvised on the spot. Aday is not complicated or elaborate, but it requires the singer to be creative, quick-witted, and knowledgeable about life.

The club usually has two singing pairs, with Mr. Danh Ky as the lead male vocalist, while the female vocalist changes with him. One of them is Ms. Thi Oanh, a former factory worker who became involved with Aday after watching Mr. Danh Ky perform and improvising to join him in singing. Seeing her talent, Mr. Danh Ky invited her to join the club and provided further guidance. Most recently, at the 2024 Ethnic Culture Festival organized by the former Hau Giang province, Mr. Danh Ky and Ms. Oanh, along with the club, won the top prize with their performance of "Aday".

A full orchestra for Aday typically includes 5 to 6 traditional instruments: the two-stringed fiddle (đàn cò), the gourd-shaped zither (đàn gáo), the 36-stringed zither (tam thập lục), bamboo flute, cymbals (chập chả), and hand drums. According to Danh Huyen's experience, the harder and more brittle the wood used, the more resonant, clear, and solid the sound. He recounts how he and some members of the group previously tinkered with making instruments from readily available materials. Later, artisans created instruments that improved the sound quality. However, whenever an instrument malfunctions, Danh Huyen meticulously adjusts and repairs it himself. He confided: "In 2022, the club received a set of instruments from the government, and I was tasked with preserving and caring for them. It's crucial to take good care of them because instruments are easily damaged! Especially the 36-stringed zither (đàn Khum). The strings rust easily; after being exposed to rainwater for 2-3 days, they rust and break."

Interestingly, from the Aday Singing Club in Hamlet 4, Xa Phien Commune, as well as from many other folk culture clubs, the love of art has spread to the younger generation at Hau Giang Ethnic Boarding High School in Can Tho City, where there are over 200 Khmer ethnic students. The school has a Folk Literature and Arts Club with 10 members, and currently, the students can independently choreograph and perform basic Southern Khmer folk dances. When asked about their involvement, Danh De Vi, a student in class 12A1, said that his house is near the temple in Hamlet 4, Xa Phien, and since childhood, he has watched the aunts and uncles perform folk dances and sing Aday songs. Danh Thi Phung, a student in class 12A2, expressed her emotion when talking about traditional costumes, songs, and dances. For her, it is a source of pride and strengthens her connection to her homeland.

Mr. Danh Ky further expressed, "The State supports the preservation of Khmer ethnic culture, and for the Aday singing club and for myself personally, it's always been a passion to guide the younger generation to understand and continue the cultural identity of our ethnic group."

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Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/bao-ton-nghe-thuat-hat-aday-a195122.html