Recognition of the Dak Son Stone Drum as a National Treasure

The Dak Son stone xylophone is crafted from rhyolite (metamorphic schist). This type of raw material for making stone xylophones is commonly found and studied in the Central Highlands and Southeast regions of Vietnam.

Comrade Pham Dinh Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, presented the Certificate recognizing the Dak Son Stone Drum as a National Treasure.

On September 12th, at the Dak Nong Conference Center, Dong Gia Nghia ward, Lam Dong province, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province held a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister's Decision recognizing the Dak Son Stone Drum as a National Treasure; to receive the Certificate of Ranking as a National Monument for the scenic spots of Caves C3-C4, Cave 7, and Cave 8; and to announce the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Tam Blang M'Prang Bon Festival (the M'nong people's tree planting and fence worship ceremony).

Central and local leaders attended the program (Photo by Huong Ly)

Attending the Conference, on the part of the Central leadership were: Mr. Pham Dinh Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage; Mr. Tran Tan Van, Senior Specialist of the Global Geopark Network; Ms. Do Thi Yen Ngoc, Director of the Center for Applied Geological and Environmental Research; Mr. Bui Van Liem, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of the Vietnam Archaeological Association; members of the National Cultural Heritage Council; and leaders of various institutes...

Delegates attending the program (Photo by Huong Ly)

Representing Lam Dong province were: Mr. Ngo Thanh Danh, Member of the National Assembly representing Lam Dong province, former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and former Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Dak Nong province (formerly); Ms. Ha Thi Hanh, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lam Dong province; Mr. Duong Khac Mai, Provincial Party Committee Member and Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Lam Dong province; and Mr. Dinh Van Tuan, Provincial Party Committee Member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Representatives from various localities attended the program.

The Dak Son stone xylophone was recognized as a National Treasure by the Prime Minister of Vietnam under Decision No. 1712/QD-TTg dated December 31, 2024. The Dak Son stone xylophone is crafted from Rhyolite (metamorphic schist). This type of raw material for making stone xylophones is commonly found and studied in the Central Highlands and Southeast regions of Vietnam.

The stone xylophone, dating back approximately 3,500-3,000 years ago, consists of 16 bars; of which, 11 are intact, and 5 are broken (4 are broken and 1 is broken and can be reassembled); divided into two types: seven-sided with a concave center (deer-like edges) and rectangular (two parallel edges).

Dak Son Stone Musical Instruments

The average length of the rods is 57 beng; the average width of the rods is 12.4cm; the average string length is 3.0cm; the average weight is 3,940 grams; the sound frequency varies widely (lowest is 191.9Hz, highest is 4,500Hz).

Leaders of the Provincial People's Committee listen to a presentation about the Dak Son Stone Musical Instrument.

The Dak Son stone musical instrument was discovered accidentally in the ground (when people were digging holes to plant pepper) at a depth of 50-90cm in Dak Son village, Nam Xuan commune, Krong No district, Dak Nong province (formerly) in 2014.

Shortly thereafter, the Provincial Museum conducted a survey of the site where the stone xylophone was discovered and collaborated with the Southern Region Institute of Social Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City) to conduct archaeological assessments and measure sound frequencies (in 2016). Simultaneously, they carried out exploration and excavation of the site to determine the connection between the stone xylophone and the Dak Son archaeological site (in 2017).

Students from N'Trang Lơng Ethnic Boarding High School enjoyed visiting the exhibition area of ​​the Dak Son Stone Musical Instruments (Photo by Huong Ly).

Currently, the Dak Son stone musical instrument is being preserved, protected, and maintained well according to procedures and regulations at the Dak Nong Museum.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/cong-nhan-bao-vat-quoc-gia-dan-da-dak-son-391109.html