"Child" gongs: Extending the cultural source

Wishing for children to have a healthy and useful playground and spread the unique gong performance art of the Bahnar people in Kbang, in early 2023, Po Ngal village (Kong Long Khong commune) launched a "young" gong team consisting of 40 members from 11 to 16 years old. The teaching and guidance on how to play gongs are undertaken by the elderly and artisans in the village.

Dinh Phong (second from left in Po Ngal village, Kong Long Khong commune) diligently learns to play gongs to improve his skills. Photo by Ngoc Minh

Hearing that Po Ngal village had established a “young” gong team, Dinh Phong (born in 2013) eagerly signed up to participate. To improve his gong performance skills, Phong often asked his grandfather for guidance and instruction.

“My grandfather played gongs very well. I secretly wished that when I grew up I would be as good as him. However, learning to play gongs was very difficult. Every time I missed the beat or couldn’t keep up with my friends, I would get discouraged. Knowing this, my grandfather encouraged me and patiently taught me. Thanks to that, I not only acquired the skill of playing gongs but also learned to understand and love the cultural heritage of my people better,” Phong shared.

Stemming from his passion and love for gongs and with the support of his family, in early 2024, Dinh Du (born in 2016) applied to join the "young" gong troupe of Dam Khuong village (To Tung commune). Although the youngest in the team, Du was serious and diligent in learning. After more than 3 months of practice, Du recognized the basic knowledge, rhythm, and tempo of traditional gong songs and confidently participated in many cultural and artistic exchange programs organized by the commune and district.

For many years, To Tung commune has maintained the organization of many art programs and spring festivals, creating conditions for people and young people to develop their talent in gong performance. Photo: Ngoc Minh

“I was able to participate in the gong performance at the Kbang District Tourism Festival in 2024. Earlier this year, my uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters and I performed gongs at the Spring Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Groups to celebrate the Party and the Year of the Snake in 2025 and the 4th Gong Culture Festival organized by the People's Committee of To Tung Commune. Seeing everyone cheering enthusiastically, I was very happy and proud. I hope that many friends will join the gong team and know how to play gongs like me so that the sound of gongs and cymbals will forever resonate,” Du expressed.

As the person assigned by Dam Khuong village to manage and guide the "young" gong team, Mr. Dinh Doach said: In the past, gongs were only for adult men. With the desire to preserve gongs for many generations, at the end of 2023, the artisans and villagers agreed to establish a "young" gong team consisting of 40 members who are talented and passionate about gongs.

According to Mr. Doach, it is very difficult for teenagers to learn gongs, so the village sent two experienced people to teach them. "Seeing the children unite and coordinate in performing gongs and gracefully playing xoang dances, I was very happy. With my experience and responsibility, I taught the children the techniques of playing gongs correctly and beautifully, to continue in the footsteps of their ancestors and preserve the traditional culture from fading away," Mr. Doach confided.

The "young" gong team of Dak Po Kao village (To Tung commune) performed at the 2025 Spring Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Groups. Photo: NM

Mr. Ho Xuan Duong - Chairman of To Tung Commune People's Committee - happily said: "All 10 villages in the commune have adult gong teams. Of which, 4 villages have established "child" gong teams with about 160 members. This is a powerful successor force in preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities; joining hands to preserve the Central Highlands gong cultural space".

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Kbang district - said: The whole district has 10 gong teams for children. Along with encouraging villages and hamlets to establish "young" gong teams, every year, the district also organizes many cultural and tourism activities to promote the local image and create conditions for gong teams to participate in performances, including "young" gong teams.

In addition, the District People's Committee regularly directs specialized agencies to coordinate with communes and towns to organize exchange programs, cultural and artistic festivals, gong performance competitions, and folk games to help artisans, people, especially teenagers and children, have a place to play and develop their talents; directs communes and towns to arrange funds to open classes to teach gong playing, xoang, and gong tuning for children and young people in the area.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/cong-chieng-nhi-noi-dai-mach-nguon-van-hoa-post324024.html