Village elder Ho Van Hao strives to preserve traditional culture

Mr. Hao (right) actively teaches the younger generation how to use traditional musical instruments - Photo: NT

Because of his love for folk songs and traditional musical instruments, when he was 5-7 years old, Ho Van Hao often sat and listened to and observed the village artisans performing daily and during holidays and festivals. Then Hao practiced on his own, with the guidance and experience of those who sang folk songs well and played musical instruments well.

To have the opportunity to practice, exchange and learn to improve knowledge as well as skills in using and performing musical instruments and traditional folk songs, Hao actively participates in cultural and artistic activities, ceremonies and festivals in the village, such as: exchanging after working in the fields or exchanging at the sim festival; participating in the Aza festival (celebrating the new rice), the Arieuping festival (moving graves), weddings, funerals...

In these traditional activities, musical instruments such as gongs, drums, panpipes, ta lu lutes, etc. must be used and folk songs such as ca loi, cha chap, aden, xieng, tang i must be sung. By studying and practicing at the same time, Hao gradually gained a deep understanding and mastered performance skills.

Once he was good at singing folk songs and playing musical instruments, Hao learned the skill of making musical instruments. Currently, Mr. Hao can make some basic musical instruments such as drums and ta lu lutes. In addition, he has also learned and fully mastered the main rituals in performing major festivals of the Pa Ko people, especially the Arieuping and Aza festivals.

In the current conditions of modern life and cultural integration from many regions, the traditional cultural features of the Pa Ko ethnic group are gradually fading away. The younger generation is less interested in singing folk songs, playing traditional musical instruments and the transmission is also very limited. Festival spaces are gradually decreasing, artisans who hold and have the ability to transmit intangible cultural heritage are getting older and weaker and fewer.

That makes village elder Ho Van Hao worried. Therefore, he always tries to find ways to maintain and promote those cultural beauties. He saves money to order musical instruments from the elderly artisans in the area, keeps them carefully and uses them regularly. Connects with members who share the same passion for traditional culture in the area.

This year, although he is over 70 years old and has a lot of work on the farm, Mr. Hao still maintains the habit of singing folk songs and playing traditional instruments for his children and grandchildren every night.

During his free time, he organizes exchanges at home with members who are passionate about traditional culture in the village. With his deep understanding, proficient skills, and ability to pass on intangible cultural heritage, he is often invited to participate in cultural activities in and outside the province; participate in teaching at training classes on musical instrument performance skills, folk singing; and festival restoration activities organized by all levels.

He is currently one of the senior members of the Traditional Arts Club and the Gong Club of Lia commune. He is willing to teach his children and club members about musical instruments, folk songs as well as basic prayers of local festivals.

Mr. Ho Van Hun - a young teacher in A May village, after being taught by Mr. Hao, has now mastered the ta lu lute and is continuing to learn the skill of practicing the khen be. The knowledge he learned from village elder Hao has greatly assisted him in the process of teaching students about traditional culture.

Mr. Hun said: “I find learning to perform folk songs and Pa Ko musical instruments is not simple. Village elder Ho Van Hao taught me how to love and be passionate, so that I can absorb more effectively. I hope that young people will gradually spread that love and passion, and join hands to preserve the cultural identity of our nation.”

As a village elder and Head of the A May Village Front Committee for many years, Mr. Hao has actively promoted and encouraged his descendants and people in the community to preserve and promote the cultural identity of his people, contributing to the construction of new rural areas in disadvantaged areas. “I am very proud of the unique traditional culture of the Pa Ko people.

Currently, facing the risk of traditional culture being lost, I hope the State will have appropriate policies so that our generation has the opportunity to teach in a systematic way, contributing to preserving and conserving the Pa Ko ethnic culture," said Mr. Hao.

Ngoc Trang

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/gia-lang-ho-van-hao-no-luc-bao-ton-van-hoa-truyen-thong-193754.htm