The "young" gong team of Blang 3 village (Ia Hrung commune) was established in 2021 with more than 40 members. Many members of the team are now young but still maintain regular practice, increasingly demonstrating their role as the next generation to preserve and promote heritage values.
The team not only serves local festivals but also participates in performing at many large-scale events. In particular, they participated in gong performances at the National Achievement Exhibition on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day held in Hanoi .
Recently, artisan Puih Dup has been in charge of the "young" gong team of Blang 3 village. He shared: "Currently, the team has 24 male members and 18 female members in charge of the xoang part. Some older members participate in training and guiding the team. The good news is that the children are passionate about gongs so they learn very quickly. I am very happy, believing that the next generation of young people will preserve the sound of gongs."
Ksor Tho (born 2008) has been a member of the "young" gong team of Blang 3 village for more than 3 years. The first days of practicing gong were not easy for her, as she had to patiently get used to each movement and each gong beat.
“When the gong gradually became ingrained in me, the more I practiced, the more enthusiastic I became, the better my hands played, and the more songs I could remember. I was truly happy to join the team to perform my favorite songs such as: celebrating new rice, celebrating victory, and brave young man… which have a lot of meaning to the Jrai people,” Ksor Tho confided.
The number of young people participating in gong teams and clubs is increasing. Most recently, the Ia Puch Commune Youth Union established the Commune Youth Gong Club in October 2025, with 24 members. Every evening from Monday to Saturday, the club members gather at the Goong Village Community House (Ia Puch Commune) to practice under the guidance of experienced artisans.
Ro Mah Hai (born 2008, Goong village) shared: “I am very happy to join the gong club. In addition to the guidance of adults, many friends who know how to play gongs have guided and tutored each other, so now most of the members are quite proficient. We are very excited to perform gongs in some festivals of the commune.”
Ms. Siu Thao, Secretary of the Ia Puch Commune Youth Union, said: “The establishment of the Commune Youth Gong Club not only demonstrates the pioneering role of the Youth Union in preserving cultural heritage, but also educates on traditions, arouses pride and awareness of preserving identity in the local young generation. In the coming time, the Commune Youth Union will continue to maintain and develop the model, organize more exchange activities, gong performances, contributing to enriching the spiritual life and preserving the gong sound of the Central Highlands.”
Not only male gong teams, many localities have established female gong teams. This is not a mere formal innovation in community cultural activities, but has really brought about effectiveness. Mothers and sisters not only take care of the fields and keep the fire in the stilt house warm, but also strongly play the gongs that echo in the mountains and forests.
Ms. H'Thi, Head of the Gong Club, Traditional Ethnic Musical Instruments for Women in Chuet Ngol Village (An Phu Ward) said: Previously, Jrai women did not play gongs but only participated in xoang in festivals. In March 2024, stemming from the desire of women to learn to participate in preserving gongs, Chuet Ngol Village and units and localities coordinated to establish a Gong Club, Traditional Ethnic Musical Instruments with 40 female members, aged 18 - 35. Despite being busy with family work, the members still arranged time to fully participate in practice sessions. Currently, the members are proficient in playing many traditional gong songs. The club actively participates in festivals and community events in many places.
“Since I was a child, I have been passionate about the sound of gongs and drums every time the village holds a festival and have always cherished the dream of having a female gong team. When this became a reality, I was very happy and always devoted all my efforts to contributing to the club. Currently, in addition to performing gongs, members also play t'rung and klong put to create a lively and attractive performance program,” Ms. H’Thi shared.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/de-nhip-cong-chieng-mai-ngan-vang-post573073.html
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