Pentatonic melody of Khmer people in An Giang

Community Voice

As the afternoon falls on the riverside hamlets, the courtyard of the Khmer Theravada pagoda resounds with the sound of pentatonic music. The music resonates far and wide, not only the sound of the festival, but also the heart of the entire community expressed in each rhythm.

During the Khmer people's Sene Don Ta festival, the space of the village is lit up by the bustling sound of the five-tone orchestra. The long drum beats, the shrill trumpet sounds, and the sounds of musical instruments blend together to create a sacred yet bustling melody, drawing listeners into a unique cultural flow.

For the Khmer people of An Giang, pentatonic music is not only music to enjoy, but also the voice of the heart, the soul entrusted to many generations.

Pentatonic music consists of five sets of instruments: bronze, iron, wood, wind and leather.

Meritorious Artisan Danh Be (Go Quao Commune) said that pentatonic music consists of five sets of instruments: Bronze, Iron, Wood, Wind and Leather. Each instrument is precisely tuned, ensuring harmony for the entire orchestra so that when played together, it creates unique sounds, from very low to high, from sweet, melodious to deep and soulful. Since ancient times, on every occasion of Chol Chnam Thmay, Ok Om Bok, Sene Don Ta, etc., Khmer Theravada pagodas have invited musicians to perform.

“When the pentatonic orchestra started playing, the surrounding people clapped their hands and joined in the rhythm of the drums, creating a very exciting atmosphere. Pentatonic music has always been an indispensable part of the Khmer people’s festival life,” said Meritorious Artist Danh Be.

When the pentatonic music plays, Khmer people gather together to join in the familiar melody.

Each pentatonic melody contains the feelings of the Khmer people. When it is lively, it expresses the joy and excitement of the festival. When it is quiet, it evokes contemplation, remembrance of ancestors, gratitude to parents. The Khmer people not only “listen” to pentatonic music with their ears, but also feel it with their hearts.

During festivals, when the pentatonic music plays, people gather together, some dance, some sing, children chirp to the beat of the drums, old people smile to the familiar melody. Music unites people with the same joy and belief. “Every time the pentatonic music plays, I feel my childhood come back, remembering my grandparents and parents. It is not just the sound of music, but the breath and soul of the nation,” said Mr. Chau Sat, a resident of Ba Chuc commune.

Keeping the pentatonic rhythm in the modern flow

In the modern life, the pentatonic music of the Khmer people in An Giang is facing many challenges. The young generation is influenced by modern music and has little patience to learn traditional musical instruments; some musical instruments are difficult to make and depend on the hands of increasingly scarce artisans. However, many artisans still quietly teach, becoming “living treasures” preserving crafting skills, playing styles and the spirit of attachment to the pentatonic music.

Mr. Danh Nghiep instructs members of the Soc Sau Pagoda Pentatonic Music Group (Go Quao Commune) to perform Pentatonic music.

A typical example is the Soc Sau Pagoda Pentatonic Band (Go Quao Commune), established in 2019 by Danh Nghiep. Every weekend, young people gather at the pagoda to practice. When this class is proficient, they will instruct a new class, creating a continuous transmission of the profession. From a few people at the beginning, the group now has more than 30 members, performing in Ok Om Bok, Chol Chnam Thmay, Sene Don Ta festivals, and exchanging with neighboring localities.

“If we don’t try to preserve it, future generations won’t know about the traditional five-tone music of the Khmer people. I hope every generation has the opportunity to learn and understand the five-tone music,” said Danh Nghiep.

Students of Ha Tien Ethnic Boarding School - Secondary School perform at the festival.

In many villages, pagodas have become “community schools” where monks and artisans teach the five-tone performance to young people. Although not everyone becomes a skilled musician, through this, the younger generation has access to and better understands the heritage of their ancestors, nurturing pride and awareness of preserving their identity.

Every year, at the Khmer Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival, there is a pentatonic performance contest, creating a playground for exchange and learning, while also arousing passion for traditional music.

“Pentatonic music is not only an art form, but also the breath and the heart of the Khmer people in An Giang. In recent years, the province has provided funding to buy a pentatonic orchestra, and to teach pentatonic music performance… Up to now, most Khmer Theravada pagodas and ethnic boarding schools have pentatonic music,” said Danh Tha, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of An Giang province.

Pentatonic music performance by An Bien unit at the Khmer Traditional Arts Festival 2024.

Every time that melody resounds in the temple yard or during a festival, not only the Khmer people, but also people of other ethnic groups from many parts of the country feel the strong vitality and rich identity of the community in the border area. And that is what makes the pentatonic music resonate forever, like the voice of the Khmer people.

Article and photos: DANH THANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cung-dieu-ngu-am-cua-dong-bao-khmer-an-giang-a462033.html