In Kiet Son commune (Tan Son district), over 80% of the population are ethnic Muong people. For generations, gongs have not only been musical instruments but have become an indispensable cultural and spiritual value in the life of the Muong community here.
For a long time, gongs have not only been musical instruments but have also become an indispensable cultural and spiritual value in the community life of the Muong people in Tan Son district.
Just like the Muong people in many places throughout the Tan Son region, gongs are not only traditional musical instruments but also sacred objects connecting people with deities and ancestors, closely intertwined in the lives of the Muong people in Kiet Son. They are often used during Tet (Lunar New Year), important Muong ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, housewarming parties, or in rituals to pray for a good harvest...
According to the elders of the village, the origin of the gong's sound was initially the "mysterious" sounds emitted when people in the past accidentally touched stalactites in mountain caves. From those sounds, the Muong people refined and created a musical instrument that mimicked those magical sounds. The gong was born and has since been associated with the Muong people.
A set of 12 gongs represents the 12 months of the year, including: one pair of large gongs, two pairs of call-and-response gongs, and seven smaller gongs. During ensemble performances, a final gong is often added as a backing note after each beat of the large gongs. The Muong people believe that the sound of gongs is linked to each person's life cycle, from birth to death. Over the years, gongs have become a cultural heritage, representing the spirit of the Muong community, a treasure preserved through generations.
In recent years, with a conscious effort to preserve the national culture and conserve and promote the value of heritage, the Party Committee and government of Kiet Son commune have focused on promoting the dissemination, education , and promotion of the positive values of the gong culture heritage to every official, Party member, and citizen in the area; regularly organizing training courses and cultural and artistic exchange events in residential areas.
Since 2018, Kiet Son commune has established a folk arts club, which regularly maintains its activities and has become one of the most vibrant and effective folk culture clubs in Tan Son district.
In particular, in 2023, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism supported several localities in Tan Son district, including Kiet Son commune, in equipping them with traditional gong sets and many other Muong cultural performance tools. The entire funding came from the "Preservation and Promotion of the Fine Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities in conjunction with Tourism Development" Project (Project 6) under the National Target Program for socio -economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Phu Tho province in 2023. This practical activity has effectively helped raise awareness among the community and society about the preservation and promotion of the fine traditional cultural heritage of ethnic groups.
The Kiet Son Commune Folk Arts Club performed a Muong gong ensemble at the Hung Temple Festival 2024.
Ms. Ha Thi Tien, Head of the Kiet Son Commune Club, shared: “The club currently has 41 members participating in activities. Besides practicing and performing cultural and artistic performances for the village, commune, and district on holidays, anniversaries, and participating in exchanges and performances in many localities inside and outside the province, the club also regularly teaches the younger generation how to play traditional dances such as the Moi dance, Dam Duong dance, Cham Ong dance, gong music, and traditional folk songs, as well as Vi and Rang singing. In 2023, the club received support from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to equip it with a set of gongs, a set of drums for the Moi dance, 25 sets of traditional women's costumes, and many other tools and sound equipment for performances. Thanks to the support and attention of the local authorities and the people in the commune, the club members are motivated to continue contributing and creating more beautiful gong music and dances to serve the people...”
Throughout history, there have been times when the sound of gongs gradually faded in many Muong lands. But with the joint efforts of all levels and sectors, along with the unwavering passion and dedication of the artisans in the gong club, folk culture and arts have contributed to nurturing and preserving the resonant sounds of the Muong land...
Thuy Phuong
Source: https://baophutho.vn/gin-giu-thanh-am-xu-muong-222828.htm
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