Elder Y Kông, a towering figure of the Cơ Tu people, has passed away.

DNO - Late on December 16th, village elder Y Kông, a veteran revolutionary cadre and respected village elder of the Cơ Tu people and the mountainous communities of Quảng province, passed away at the age of 98.

Elder Y Kông. Photo: ALĂNG NGƯỚC

Già Y Kông, whose real name was Nguyễn Dưl, was born in 1928 in Ba commune (Dong Giang district, former Quang Nam province), now Song Vang commune, Da Nang city. He left his family to join the revolutionary movement in 1955.

During the years of resistance against the US and in peacetime , village elder Y Kông held many important positions: Chairman of the People's Committee of Đông Giang District (1971 - 1975), Chairman of the People's Committee of Hiên District (1976 - 1979), and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hiên District (1979 - 1982).

Leaders of the former Quang Nam province visit village elder Y Kông (third from the left) in 2024. Photo: ALĂNG NGƯỚC

For the Co Tu people, village elder Y Kong is considered a "living museum," having made many contributions to the preservation, restoration, and safeguarding of their traditional cultural identity. For decades, he has diligently collected and crafted musical instruments, directly teaching drumming, gong playing, and folk singing to the youth, playing a crucial role in bringing Co Tu culture to tourists.

For his contributions to the revolutionary cause, Elder Y Kông was honored by the Party and State with the First Class Resistance Medal, the First Class Liberation Medal, the Third Class Independence Medal, and the 65-Year Party Membership Badge.

Elder Y Kông (second from the right) is always at the forefront of digital transformation in the mountainous region. Photo: ALĂNG NGƯỚC

The passing of village elder Y Kông is a great loss for local officials, Party members, and people, leaving deep sorrow in the Co Tu community of western Quang Nam province.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/gia-lang-y-kong-cay-dai-thu-cua-dong-bao-co-tu-qua-doi-3315273.html