In the midst of the war against America to save the country, in 1969, upon hearing the news of President Ho Chi Minh 's death, the Cor people in the western region of Quang Ngai (now Tra Bong district) voluntarily took the surname Ho to show their gratitude to Uncle Ho.
In the Truong Son region of Quang Ngai province, amidst the vast forests and mountains, is the long-standing residence of the indigenous Cor people. To date, the Cor people have over 30,000 people.
66 years ago, the Cor people made their mark in history in the Tra Bong uprising. From July 7 to 10, 1958, the Congress of the People of the Western Quang Ngai ethnic groups took place in Go Ro, Tra Phong commune, with 200 delegates from the Cor, Ca Dong, Hre and Kinh people.
Here, the congress issued an appeal: “All ethnic groups must unite around Uncle Ho, join forces to overthrow the US-Diem. Everyone, regardless of ethnicity, old or young, male or female, must join the armed forces, practice military training... be ready to rise up and seize power.”
On August 28, 1959, the army and people of Tra Bong rose up in an uprising to seize power and then spread throughout the western part of Quang Ngai, establishing a revolutionary government to protect the liberated area. The Cor people steadfastly followed the Party and Uncle Ho, contributing to the victory of the whole country.
On September 2, 1969, President Ho Chi Minh passed away. In the middle of the Truong Son mountain range, all the cadres and people of the Cor ethnic group turned to the North, towards Uncle Ho; the Cor ethnic group unanimously and voluntarily took the surname Ho to show their gratitude to Uncle Ho.
Meritorious Artisan Ho Van Bien is renovating Uncle Ho's altar. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG
Before the 134th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2024), Meritorious Artisan Ho Van Bien (60 years old, Tra Son commune, Tra Bong district) renovated the altar and burned incense before Uncle Ho's picture.
Mr. Bien said: “Before taking on the surname of President Ho Chi Minh, the Cor people only had names in the Cor language. The Cor people had no letters, could not write in Vietnamese and did not have a surname. When we were given the surname of Uncle Ho, we were very happy, vowing to study and follow Uncle Ho’s example for the rest of our lives, develop the economy, and build a new life according to the direction of the Party and State.”
Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Secretary of Tra Bong District Party Committee, said: “In addition to worshiping their grandparents and parents, the Cor people worship Uncle Ho, believe in the Party and the State, and all policies are supported by the Cor people. The Party's policy on studying and following the moral example of Ho Chi Minh is conveyed and spread to all classes of people. Models such as practicing thrift, self-managed roads, charity porridge pots, etc. are widely replicated.”
Tra Bong district has been successful in implementing the Plan to preserve and promote the cultural heritage values of ethnic minorities in the district. Mr. Dung said: “Tra Bong focuses on promoting traditional cultural values such as gongs, xa ru melodies, a-gioi melodies, etc. Youth union members and teachers in the area open an average of 5-6 classes to learn melodies and gongs each year. 13/13 communes have established traditional art troupes, 6 schools have also established gong teams in schools and to date, Tra Bong district has 20 gong clubs.”
Meritorious Artisan Ho Van Bien introduces and guides the Cor people's gong playing method. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG
The gong art of the Cor people is a national intangible cultural heritage. Among them, gong fighting is one of the outstanding and unique gong activities of the Cor people.
Mr. Ho Van Bien said: “Culture is the soul of the nation, as long as the culture exists, the nation exists. Therefore, the Cor people must preserve their traditional culture , never let it fade away. Besides, in customs, bad customs must be eliminated, good customs must be promoted to develop with the country”.
People's Artist Ho Ngoc An introduces the Neu tree and the Gu set in the traditional culture of the Cor people. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG
People's Artisan Ho Ngoc An (66 years old, Tra Thuy commune, Tra Bong district) said: "Since 1970, I joined the youth volunteer force, transporting goods along Truong Son road. In 1972, I officially joined the army and joined the resistance war. I am proud to be a soldier of Uncle Ho and to have the surname of Uncle Ho is the wish of the Cor people".
Mr. An is also one of the artisans who contributed to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, participating in the establishment of the Tra Thuy Commune Cultural Heritage Conservation Club with 30 members.
The Secretary of Tra Bong District Party Committee said: “In parallel with preserving and promoting culture, the Cor people develop the economy , eliminate hunger and reduce poverty. Up to now, the poverty rate has decreased to about 29%, this is a great effort of the Party Committee and people of the district with the characteristics of a very difficult mountainous area. Notably, the change in thinking and farming practices from shifting cultivation and nomadic life to sedentary life; people are assigned land and forests, developing production economy”.
Na Ta Kot settlement area (Tra Khuong village, Tra Lam commune, Tra Bong district, Quang Ngai province). Photo: NGUYEN TRANG
Tra Bong district regularly preserves and restores historical relics associated with the resistance war against France and the US. A typical example is the Go Ro relic, where the Congress of the people of the ethnic groups in western Quang Ngai took place, determined to follow Uncle Ho and implement the Party and State's guidelines. Currently, Go Ro still retains intact evidence such as stone tables, large banyan trees, and the foundation of an old house...
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