Preserving the spirit of the homeland through the Duc Bac Drum Dance.

"Where have you been digging since early morning?/Since early morning/Leaving me waiting, hoping, and longing/Oh, the drum of the army..."

These simple, rustic songs have resonated for generations in the countryside along the Lo River, becoming a familiar melody in the spiritual life of the people of Duc Bac, Song Lo commune. More than just a unique form of folk performance, Duc Bac's Trong Quan singing is a cultural "specialty," embodying the soul and identity of the people in the northern midland region. Through the vicissitudes of time, this melody has been preserved by the people as an integral part of their homeland, contributing to the continuation of the national cultural heritage. In 2019, Duc Bac's Trong Quan singing was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This is not only a recognition of its unique folk art value but also a great source of pride for the local people.

The intangible cultural heritage of Duc Bac's Drum Singing will be performed at the 2026 Street Folk Culture Festival.

According to ancient legend, there was a girl born to her mother in a dream. She grew up and followed the Trung Sisters to fight the invaders (she called herself Princess Nuong). After winning the war and returning, she suddenly transformed on the land of Ke Lep on the banks of the Lo River. Seeing this, the people of Ke Lep went to Phu Ninh to ask for her name and built a temple in her honor. From then on, the two villages along the river, Phu Ninh and Duc Bac, had a fraternal relationship. Every year, the people of Duc Bac welcome the people of Phu Ninh across the river to perform a ceremony to worship the Four Princesses, praying for happiness and peace. The Trong Quan folk song originated from this event.

Duc Bac Drum Song is a form of folk cultural activity that combines singing and dancing, bearing the unique characteristics of the Northern midland region. Duc Bac drum songs have a clear and coherent rhythm, closely linked to the beat of festival drums. Popular Duc Bac drum song melodies include drum songs - welcoming peach blossoms, fish-catching songs, group songs, asking for flowers and riddles, etc.

Without elaborate instruments or theatrical staging, the "Trong Quan" folk singing style is appealing precisely because of its rustic and intimate nature. The singers use lyrics to respond to each other, conveying their thoughts, feelings, and quick wit. Each verse vividly reflects the working life, love for their homeland, community spirit, and aspirations for a prosperous and happy life.

The most distinctive feature is the courtship singing that takes place in the spring, associated with the Cau Dinh festival at Duc Bac village communal house. The festival unfolds on the riverbank of Duc Bac village. Female singers from Phu Ninh cross the Lo River to sing in call-and-response style with the young men of Duc Bac. Upon reaching the shore, they walk side-by-side, singing in a joyful and lively atmosphere. The female singers wear small drums on their chests, prepared by the young men themselves. Each pair faces the other, the women walking backward and the men forward; the singing blends with the rhythmic drumming all the way to the communal house's entrance.

The unique feature of Duc Bac's Drum Song lies in its clever, witty, yet deeply humane call-and-response style of singing. Singers not only need to memorize the melodies but also must be quick-witted and able to improvise, using lyrics to respond naturally and gracefully. After each verse sung by the female or male singer, the familiar interlude of "Look, the drum..." rings out, creating a continuous rhythm and a strong folk character.

The music of the Duc Bac drum ensemble has short, fast, and powerful melodies, close to the everyday speech of working people. The melodies are usually sung in 2/4 time with characteristic syncopated rhythms, creating a feeling of vigor yet still being heartfelt and profound. These melodies are deeply imbued with fertility beliefs and the yearning for abundance and prosperity of the agricultural inhabitants along the Lo River.

To preserve and promote the value of the national intangible cultural heritage of Duc Bac's Drum and Drum Singing, driven by love and responsibility for their ancestral heritage, many artisans and local people persistently maintain this traditional folk melody. From village communal houses and cultural centers to schools, the sound of the drums and drums resonates during festivals, national unity celebrations, and cultural exchange programs. Many artisans also proactively open classes to teach the art form to young people in the commune, hoping to pass on this heritage to future generations, so that the sound of the drums and drums in Duc Bac's countryside will continue to resonate.

Phuong Thanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/giu-nbsp-hon-que-qua-dieu-trong-quan-duc-bac-255207.htm