Traditional cultural values ​​of Quang Nam province

1.

The culture of Quang Nam is an integral part of the national cultural flow. These cultural values ​​were created by the people of Quang Nam during their pioneering journey in this land, where "the rivers and waters are strangely captivating. Even the birds' calls frighten the people, and the fish's movements startle them." Due to its unique geographical features, the culture of Quang Nam developed within the overall Central Vietnam culture, based on the Sa Huynh and Champa cultures, a convergence of "localization" from East Asian and South Asian cultures. It can be said that few places possess such a rich and diverse cultural heritage as this region.

The inhabitants of Quang Nam province were migrants who arrived very early in history, interacting with the Cham people and other ethnic groups in the mountainous regions. They united to build and protect their homeland. This cohabitation inevitably led to cultural exchange between communities, creating a unique cultural identity for the region. Besides the cultural exchange during the post-Tra Kieu and Dong Duong periods, the communities also interacted with outside cultures in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when the Nguyen Lords in Dang Trong opened up trade with Asia and Western countries, establishing the Hoi An trading port.

Alongside the ancient and enchanting city of Hoi An, the concession city of Da Nang was formed. Though small, it became the economic center of Quang Nam province. Here, it skillfully absorbed and Vietnamized Western civilization values, creating a new cultural identity unique to Da Nang: modern yet calm, vibrant yet humble, while preserving its essence.

2. In Quang Nam province, traditional cultural values ​​in customs and social practices are oriented towards goodness and virtue, helping people overcome difficulties and challenges in life, fostering cohesion and connection between individuals and the community. Notable examples include fishing festivals in coastal areas, the Ky Yen festival in the plains, the Thu Bon Goddess festival in Nong Son and Duy Xuyen, the procession of the Goddess's palanquin in Cho Duoc, and traditional festivals of ethnic minorities in mountainous areas. These bring balance to cultural and spiritual beliefs, cultivate community bonds, and encourage prayers for peace, bountiful harvests, the flourishing of all things, favorable weather, national prosperity, gratitude to ancestors, and a connection to one's ancestral roots and village – all reflecting the human aspiration to reach truth, goodness, and beauty.

Along with its folk festivals, Quang Nam province is also the cradle of many vibrant folk songs, chants, rhymes, lullabies, and traditional operas. The lullabies and fairy tales of the ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions express the spiritual life of the communities as they face the harsh natural conditions of the mountains and forests. The chants and melodies of the people in the plains, riverine areas, and coastal regions express diligence, patience, and hard work, yet are full of lyricism and romance.

Folk games, especially Bài Chòi singing, which celebrate love, parental affection, and the teacher-student relationship, adhere to the traditional moral standards of the nation, expressing the thoughts, feelings, hopes, and aspirations of the people. These are also the moral standards of the people of Quang Nam province. And so, whenever one is far away, there are moments of nostalgia for these profound melodies. They maintain friendly, close, and harmonious relationships, while nurturing love for one's homeland and life.

3. The traditional cultural values ​​of a region are a direct and extremely important factor in shaping people's character. Quang Nam province is a land with a tradition of patriotism, self-reliance, and great sacrifice; it has given birth to many outstanding patriots and reformers: Pham Phu Thu, Hoang Dieu, Ong Ich Khiem, Nguyen Duy Hieu, Tran Cao Van, Phan Chau Trinh, Tran Quy Cap, Huynh Thuc Khang... People from Quang Nam have a tradition of studiousness and progress; they value literacy and cherish relationships, "Not coveting a full sack of rice, but coveting three lines of calligraphy to become a teacher of the world."

As a region renowned for its many distinguished scholars and patriotic intellectuals, Quang Nam has become a famous land of learning. This has also fostered the character of the people of Quang Nam in their cultural conduct, providing a foundation for them to confidently and steadily enter the era of national development.

TON THAT HUONG

Source: https://baodanang.vn/channel/5433/202505/gia-tri-van-hoa-truyen-thong-xu-quang-4006927/