Then Heritage Facing Challenges of Urbanization

With the dedication of a researcher and lecturer, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung (Member of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association, lecturer at Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts) has spent many years deciphering the "integral" values ​​of Then. A reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung. Photo: Minh Trang

Through your research, what do you consider to be the most distinctive features of Then singing and the Then ritual?

- The Tày people's Then ritual performance art is a holistic synthesis of various elements: time, cultural space, ritual script, performers, performance style, and the relationship between performers and audience.

In my monograph on Then in Bac Son ( Lang Son ), I focus on clarifying the local characteristics of Bac Son Then through comparisons with Then in other regions, with the Nung people, and with the Vietnamese spirit medium rituals. At the same time, I delve into evaluating the role, transformations, and adaptation issues on contemporary stages to find solutions for preserving and applying this heritage in modern life.

What is the significance of studying the Then ritual and Then singing in identifying national cultural identity, and what challenges is this heritage currently facing, in your opinion?

- Studying the Then ritual and Then singing helps identify the spiritual values, beliefs, and worldview of the Tay people, affirming the position of Then as an important element in the Vietnamese cultural landscape, and creating a scientific basis for protecting the heritage in the spirit of UNESCO.

However, this heritage is facing challenges from urbanization, generational disruptions, and the trend towards theatricalization. Separating Then from its traditional practice space could easily diminish its ritual function and social significance. We need to correctly identify these challenges in order to find appropriate preservation methods and maintain its original values.

In the current context, in your opinion, what is the boundary between preserving the original form and incorporating Then rituals and singing into performance, tourism, or educational settings?

- The boundary lies in preserving the practitioners, cultural significance, and core expressive system. Adjusting the form is necessary, but it must not alter the essence and cultural function of the Then heritage.

At Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts, we have developed well-structured programs, courses, and a team of lecturers to ensure proper preservation and development within an educational environment linked to local tourism.

How do you assess the role of folk artisans, and from a cultural management perspective, what solutions do we need to sustainably preserve the Then heritage?

- Artisans are the creative subjects, the "keepers of knowledge" of immense importance; wherever artisans wish to preserve heritage, that place will remain intact.

Therefore, it is necessary to support them with mechanisms, conditions for transmission, and livelihoods from UNESCO's community-centered perspective. In terms of management, it is necessary to combine community-based conservation with scientific documentation, enhance heritage education, and control performance exploitation. In particular, it is essential to update practices and integrate information technology applications into the research, preservation, and transmission of heritage.

What is the significance of incorporating Then singing into the curriculum at Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts for students and the training of future human resources?

- This helps students understand heritage from a community perspective, fostering a sense of responsibility for protecting national culture. Students from highland villages – the cradle of this heritage – when properly trained in fields such as playing the zither, singing Then songs, folk music, and cultural management, will become an effective source of future human resources. This is a practical and meaningful educational environment for preserving and conserving the Then heritage today.

What is the most important aspect of approaching folklore, and what are your expectations for the current generation of young people?

- At its core, it combines scientific methods, empathy with the community, and respect for the subject matter, in accordance with UNESCO's perspective. I expect that the Then heritage will continue to be practiced within the community, passed down and promoted in a controlled manner in contemporary life without losing its identity.

To young people, I hope you approach folklore with patience, respect, and responsibility. Research should not only be for understanding, but also to work with the community to keep this heritage alive and spread its beauty.

Thank you, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung!

In 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the Then ritual practices of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam on the List of Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Then is an indispensable ritual practice in the spiritual life of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam, reflecting their conceptions of humanity, the natural world, and the universe. Then singing is a synthesis of many artistic activities such as dance, musical instruments, and singing.

Source: https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/di-san-then-truoc-thach-thuc-cua-do-thi-hoa-1638417.ldo