The trumpet that Mr. Trieu Phuc An owns is over 40 years old, a precious heirloom left to him by his father. Its construction reflects the characteristics of the highlands: the body is made from a very hard and durable type of old-growth forest wood, and the bell is made of polished brass with nine meticulously carved finger holes. Mr. An explains that to make the trumpet's sound resonate far and have soul, the player must know how to regulate their breath from the chest through the throat, then use their fingers to rhythmically press the nine brass holes. Each hole represents a musical note, blending together to create sounds that are sometimes low, sometimes high, expressing the many emotions of the player.
For the past two decades, Mr. An's trumpet playing has been present at important events in the village. From lively weddings, where the trumpet's sound conveys blessings for a lifetime of happiness, to baby showers, Tet (Lunar New Year), and especially the Twelve-Lamp Initiation Ceremony – the most important ritual in the life of a Dao man. Mr. Trieu Phuc An shared that the trumpet's sound varies depending on the occasion. The trumpet in the Initiation Ceremony must be solemn and respectful to inform the spirits; while the trumpet in a wedding must be cheerful and lively, like the birds singing in the early morning... It is this dedication and talent that has made him the most respected "keeper of the flame" of culture in the region.
Speaking about Mr. An's close relationship with the villagers, Ms. Dang Thi Senh shared: "In this village, whenever there's a big or small event, people always turn to Mr. An. A wedding wouldn't be joyful without the sound of his trumpet, and a coming-of-age ceremony without his trumpet playing feels like it's missing the soul of our ethnic group. The villagers cherish Mr. An not only because he plays the trumpet so well, but also because he's always enthusiastic and never refuses when the village needs him."
Mr. Siều Văn Đán, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Phong Dụ Thượng commune, said: "In Khe Dẹt village, only Mr. An still possesses the skillful technique of playing the trumpet and has a thorough understanding of ancient trumpet pieces. Dedicated individuals like Mr. An are truly valuable assets to the locality. The commune also regularly creates opportunities for Mr. An to participate in activities preserving the culture of the Dao people in the area."
The quiet contributions of Mr. Trieu Phuc An have helped the cultural and artistic movement of Phong Du Thuong commune maintain its unique identity.
However, behind those resounding sounds echoing throughout the mountains and forests, Mr. An still carries a deep concern for the future. He sees that today's young people prefer listening to upbeat music on their phones rather than patiently learning how to properly play the Dao flute. Learning to play the flute with the authentic Dao style is a process that demands patience, and not every young person has the perseverance to pursue it.
Trieu Phuc An's biggest worry as he gets older is who will take over this nine-hole horn to play in the traditional ceremonies of the Dao people. He fears that the sound of the ethnic horn will disappear, that the beautiful values of his ancestors will be obscured by the "dust" of time. Now, An's greatest wish is for the younger generation to sit down and listen to him tell stories about the horn, and learn how to maintain the rhythm of their ethnic identity.
The wish of that Dao man was simple yet deeply heartfelt: he hoped that the sound of the horn would forever resonate as an affirmation of the vitality of the Dao people amidst the vast forest, so that their culture would never be forgotten in the flow of time.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/de-tieng-ken-mai-ngan-vang-post892712.html
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