Dong Nai: "Keeping the flame alive" for the unique dance rhythms of the S'tieng ethnic group.

The S'tieng ethnic dance troupes not only preserve the ethnic cultural identity in the province but also contribute to spreading and promoting the unique cultural values of the ethnic minority to future generations.

VietnamPlus•04/01/2026

In the commune of Bu Dang ( Dong Nai province), the people still quietly preserve the traditional dance rhythms of the S'tieng ethnic group.

The dance troupes not only preserve the ethnic cultural identity in the province but also contribute to spreading and promoting the unique cultural values of ethnic minorities to future generations.

Promoting and preserving traditional values.

In Hung Dang village, whenever they perform, the dance group, with nearly 20 members assigned to specific positions, creates a unified whole. Most of the dances are composed and choreographed by the S'tieng people themselves, based on the spirit of religious rituals, daily life, and agricultural production.

Each dance is meticulously choreographed so that every movement conveys a unique meaning and is appropriate to the specific context of the nation.

Mr. Dieu On, from Hung Dang village, has been involved with traditional dances since childhood. He always cherishes the values passed down from his ancestors. Over the years, Mr. On has performed many folk dances of his ethnic group.

The dance troupe at the Hung Dang village community cultural center (Bu Dang commune) practices performing a traditional S'tieng dance. (Photo: K. GỬIH/TTXVN)

Mr. Dieu On shared that all the characteristic dance movements originated from the very rhythm of their working lives, such as clearing weeds, thinning rice, and pounding rice... For him and the people here, maintaining the dance troupe is about performing for the villagers to enjoy, and also a way for the older generation to set an example and pass on the torch to future generations to preserve the cultural values of the S'tieng ethnic group from fading away.

Over time, the vitality of S'tieng culture in Hung Dang village in particular and Bu Dang district in general has been nurtured by the continuous creativity of the ethnic minority community.

According to Ms. Dieu Thi Mum, the most unique aspect is the spirit of self-creation and self-performance among the people. Whenever there is a festival, the villagers together create new dances that reflect the unique character of their village, without mixing or copying from anywhere else.

Ms. Dieu Thi Mum said: "We always try to preserve our traditional dances. Seeing today's young generation gradually continuing and developing these beautiful traditions makes us very happy. I hope that the beauty of our ethnic dances, songs, and gong playing will always be preserved through generations."

Spreading beauty, creating sustainable value.

In Hung Dang village, the Kinh community and other ethnic minorities blend together, skillfully performing each traditional dance movement. During festivals, holidays, or major celebrations, they all perform together, creating a diverse yet unified cultural tapestry.

Not content with just performing at festivals, the people are also proactively leveraging technology and social media to spread these vibrant images, bringing the S'tieng cultural identity to friends both within and outside the province.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham, Head of Hung Dang village, said: "The S'tieng dance troupe has been formed and maintained for over 20 years. Continuing the tradition from our ancestors, the troupe was created with the mission of 'preventing' the risk of the ethnic identity fading away. We are gradually guiding the troupe to become well-organized, determined to preserve the most exquisite aspects such as the gong-playing techniques and the characteristic self-composed dances." She harbors the aspiration to take S'tieng culture further through the power of digital technology .

Through their performances, the dance troupe encourages members to upload photos and videos to Zalo and Facebook. This is the most practical way to bring the dance and the identity of the indigenous people to all parts of the country, helping people to better understand and appreciate the S'tieng culture.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Bu Dang commune, said that in order to preserve ethnic culture, the commune has assigned departments, offices, and service centers to develop projects and plans for cultural development in the period 2026-2030.

According to this plan, the locality will divide the roadmap into specific years to build gong and drum ensembles and dance and singing groups that reflect the unique characteristics of the S'tieng people.

Mr. Tung emphasized that besides preservation, the commune also plans to send performing arts groups on tour and organize its own festivals in Bu Dang to spread this beauty throughout the province and the country. In the long term, the main goal is to exploit the tourism potential associated with the traditional identity of the S'tieng people and create sustainable economic value for the locality.

Currently, in Dong Nai province, the traditional folk dances of some ethnic groups are facing the risk of disappearing. The artisans knowledgeable in traditional art are elderly, while the younger generation of successors remains small.

Given this situation, the preservation and promotion of dance heritage, not only of the S'tieng people but also of other ethnic groups, has become an urgent task requiring more special attention from all levels of government.

In Bu Dang, local leaders have taken a strategic step by focusing on integrating this heritage into tourism development. This is a solution to preserve and promote sustainable traditional values, a practical approach to increasing income and improving the economic lives of ethnic minorities in the area.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dong-nai-giu-lua-nhip-dieu-mua-dac-sac-cua-dong-bao-dan-toc-stieng-post1086514.vnp