Let the sound of gongs resound forever in the forest

Amidst the modern pace of life, the sound of gongs still echoes through the mountains and forests thanks to the efforts of schools in the highlands of Da Nang. Many gong clubs have been established as a way to preserve and spread the traditional gong art form. From the school roof, the sacred sounds of the great forest are being breathed into life by the young generation.

The Gong Club of Nam Tra My Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School took a photo with the artist. PHOTO: SONG THANH

Artisans and students together preserve gong culture

To preserve and spread the beauty of gong culture, Nam Tra My Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School (Nam Tra My commune) established the Gong Club in 2022. After more than 3 years of operation, the club has grown in both scale and quality.

Currently, the club has about 60 students and 5 teachers who are ethnic minorities participating. Regular activities are held twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays, at the school's community center.

As a boarding school, with more than 95% of students belonging to the Ca Dong, Xe Dang, M'nong ethnic groups attending..., the Gong Club of Nam Tra My Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School has become a "common home" for students to exchange, learn and practice gong art.

Meritorious Artisan Dinh Hong Chau, who has many years of dedication and passion for preserving and promoting gong art in Nam Tra My; he always accompanies the activities of the Gong Club of Nam Tra My Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities.

As an instructor, he not only teaches gong playing and traditional dance techniques but also shares cultural stories and customs associated with the lives of his people. His dedication and closeness have strongly inspired many generations of students, helping them love and be proud of their national cultural identity.

Members are practicing gong playing and dancing during an activity. PHOTO: SONG THANH

“Gongs are not simply musical instruments, but the “voice of the mountains and forests”, closely linked to the spiritual life, customs and cultural identity of ethnic minorities. Preserving the sound of gongs is also preserving the soul of the community”, Mr. Dinh Hong Chau emphasized.

Dinh Van Luom, class 12/1, Ca Dong ethnic minority, a key member of the gong club, shared: “For me, participating in this club is not only about practicing musical instruments but also an opportunity to listen to stories about customs, beliefs, and festivals that are deeply attached to the lives of the ethnic minorities. Through that, I love and appreciate my ethnic culture even more.”

Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School (Tra My commune) is one of the highland schools that early introduced gong art into the school environment by establishing and maintaining gong teams for students.

Currently, the school has nearly 400 students, most of whom are children of ethnic minorities Co, Ca Dong, Xe Dang. Since 2010, the school has launched two gong teams with each team consisting of four students. By the 2025-2026 school year, the gong team has grown to 20 students. In parallel, the school also organizes traditional dance classes for female students, helping to combine smoothly with gong performances.

Mr. Ho Van Sam, Head of the Parents' Committee of Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, shared: "I and many other parents hope that the school and local authorities will continue to invest in more musical instruments and costumes so that the students have better conditions to practice and perform, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation."

Spreading indigenous cultural values ​​among young people

In each activity, the gong club members gathered in large numbers, listened attentively, and practiced the simplest dances. Many students learned quickly, and after just a few days, they were able to dance many movements skillfully, play gongs accurately, and resonate with rhythmic melodies that echoed through the mountains and forests.

A performance by the Gong Club of Nam Tra My Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities during the Tet festival. PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL UNION.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Party Cell Secretary, Principal of Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, shared: “To help students access the “cultural heritage treasure” more easily, the school board invited veteran artisans of the Ca Dong and Co ethnic groups in Tra Giap and Tra Doc communes to come directly to the school to teach dance and play gongs and drums to the students. During the teaching process, the dance movements, rhythms, lyrics, gong and drum tones... were recorded for later teaching...".

During each Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival or traditional festivals celebrating new rice, buffalo stabbing, and Tet, students in the gong club enthusiastically perform in front of hundreds of spectators. The resounding gong sounds combined with graceful dances create a solemn and vibrant atmosphere, contributing to reviving the unique culture of ethnic minorities in the mountainous region.

Each performance not only captivated visitors but also touched the hearts of local people, making pride in their homeland's cultural identity surge. These moments affirmed the important role of the young generation in preserving and promoting the nation's precious cultural heritage.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Luan, Principal of Nam Tra My Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, said: “Recognizing the positive value of the gong club’s activities, the school has invested in more than 100 new costumes and a gong set worth 100 million VND, supported by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The gong set is hung solemnly in the tradition room, becoming a source of pride for teachers and students of the school.”

Members of the gong club work together to preserve the gong sounds and dances of their ethnic group. PHOTO: PROVIDED BY DOAN TRUONG.

Not only limited to schools, gong clubs also take the initiative to record videos of performances and then post them on social media platforms. These videos are not only limited to mountainous areas but also spread widely, contributing to promoting and preserving gong culture to the community, especially the youth.

Dinh Y Quyen, a student of class 11/1 at Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, emotionally shared: “Through each practice session, I feel a deep sense of connection and pride in preserving precious traditional values. I hope that many other young people will also love and together preserve this sacred gong and dance.”

From the activities at the highland school, the sound of gongs not only resounds in the mountains and forests but also resonates in the hearts of the young generation. Each gong beat and each dance not only recreates the beauty of national culture but also instills in the children a sense of pride and awareness to preserve and continue the heritage of their ancestors.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/de-dai-ngan-vang-mai-tieng-chieng-ngan-3306452.html