Lesson 1: Xoan Singing - The Song of the Roots and Enduring Strength
Within the enduring and sacred flow of Vietnamese national culture, Phu Tho Xoan singing is one of the precious legacies and a source of pride for the people of the Hung Kings' ancestral land, and a vivid testament to the vibrant vitality of Vietnamese culture. With its profound artistic, religious, and community spirit values, Xoan singing is a cultural treasure of the ancestral land.
Xoan singing is performed at major events in the province.
Heritage of our roots, imprinted
The international recognition of Xoan singing is a touching and proud story about the Vietnamese people's will to preserve their heritage. In 2011, Xoan singing was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. Just six years later, in 2017, UNESCO officially removed Xoan singing from the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, acknowledging the tremendous efforts of Vietnam, Phu Tho province, and the Xoan community in preserving and safeguarding the heritage. Simultaneously, Phu Tho Xoan singing was officially inscribed as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This great honor is not only a source of pride for the ancestral land but also affirms the depth of Vietnamese culture, proving that preservation can absolutely go hand in hand with development.
Xoan singing originates from the custom of worshipping the tutelary deity and the Hung Kings – a cultural feature deeply intertwined with the formation of the ancient Vietnamese nation. In the ancestral land, Xoan singing is considered a unique form of folk music, associated with festivals and rituals praying for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and national peace and prosperity. Ancient Xoan melodies such as "Mó cá" (Fish Catching), "Giáo trống" (Drumbeat), "Giáo pháo" (Firecracker), "Hát mời rượu" (Singing to Invite Wine)... have endured for hundreds of years in the original Xoan singing troupes: An Thái, Thét, Kim Đái, and Phù Đức.
Xoan singing comprises a system of 31 ancient songs, scientifically and artistically organized, divided into stages: devotional songs (ceremonial and sacred), ritual songs (commemorating ancestors and praying for blessings), and festival songs (courtship and community entertainment). This is a rich treasure trove of folk material, a crystallization of music , dance, community memory, and folk knowledge. Xoan music is simple yet sophisticated, with rhythms and lyrics containing profound philosophical insights, expressing the spirit of unity and the indomitable will of the nation.
People's Artist Nguyen Thi Lich - Head of the An Thai Xoan singing troupe, who has been involved with Xoan singing since childhood, shared: "I grew up surrounded by Xoan festivals, listening to the elders sing and feeling as if I was in the sacred space of the village temple. For us, Xoan is the breath, the way of life of the village, not just a performance."
In the treasure trove of Vietnamese national cultural heritage, Xoan singing is considered the "sacred soul" of the land and sky, the origin of the nation. For generations, the smooth and profound melodies of Xoan have resonated in the hearts of the people of the ancestral land, both sacred and deeply humane. The line "Whoever comes to Phu Tho with me/listens to the Xoan songs overflowing with homeland love..." is a warm invitation, leading us back to the sacred ancestral land - where Xoan singing rises amidst the village communal house, during the spring festival. Xoan singing is not only folk singing but also a thread connecting the past with the present, expressing the soul, identity, and love for homeland of the Vietnamese people.
The pride and responsibility of the ancestral land.
The fact that Xoan singing has been removed from UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding and recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity is a testament to the tireless efforts of the Party Committee, government, and people of Phu Tho province in preserving and promoting this heritage.
Immediately after UNESCO recognized Xoan singing, Phu Tho province considered the protection and promotion of Xoan singing as a long-term responsibility and commitment. Investment was made in restoring the performance spaces of the original Xoan singing troupes. Dozens of training classes for artisans, teachers, and the community were regularly held. Policies to reward and honor individuals and organizations preserving the heritage were implemented systematically.
According to Ms. Tran Thi Minh Loi, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Xoan singing has truly returned to life: "We are seeing Xoan singing not only being preserved but also developing strongly, moving beyond the boundaries of the four original Xoan singing wards to reach schools, stages, tourism , and the international community."
Today, Xoan singing is both ancient and modern, profound in its rituals and vibrant in its cultural experiences, creating a lasting appeal for locals and tourists alike. People's Artist Nguyen Thi Lich enthusiastically stated: “Throughout two fierce wars of resistance, the melodies of Xoan singing have continued to resonate and have been cherished, preserved, and promoted even more strongly by generations of leaders and the people of Phu Tho. In 2017, Phu Tho Xoan singing was recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, a great honor not only for the people of Phu Tho but for the entire Vietnamese nation.”
The revival of Xoan singing is a prime example of heritage preservation success. It's not just about restoring ancient songs, but about rekindling the flame of heritage in the hearts of the community, transforming a form on the verge of extinction into a vibrant and enduring cultural symbol.
(To be continued)
Huong Lan
Source: https://baophutho.vn/gin-giu-va-phat-huy-di-san-van-hoa-nbsp-dai-dien-nbsp-cua-nbsp-nhan-loai-244232.htm
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