Male students of Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School (Tra My commune) confidently perform gongs. Photo: PHAN VINH
The sound of gongs in the schoolyard
The gong performance team of Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School (Tra My commune) was established and has been operating since the 2021-2022 school year. Currently, the team has 25 students participating in activities and practicing regularly. After more than 3 years, not only have the students become familiar with the gong rhythm and dance, and are proud to wear traditional costumes, but they have also nurtured their love and desire to preserve and promote the culture of their people.
Dinh Thi Thanh Quy, a Ca Dong ethnic minority student in grade 12/3, has been participating in the gong performance team since grade 10. Although she has known a little about Ca Dong culture through festivals in her hometown, she has never had formal training. In the early days, Quy was guided by her seniors in each movement and then shyly practiced. Now, the young student is more mature, becoming the one who "passes on" the traditional culture to the younger generations.
“Every time I wear traditional costumes, perform the dances and gong sounds of my people in front of teachers, friends and parents during the opening ceremony, cultural festivals or art exchanges, I feel very proud. My friends and I in the gong performance team are actively spreading this to our friends at school, so that the traditional culture of ethnic minorities can be preserved,” Quy shared.
The gong performance team of Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School maintains regular practice. Photo: HO QUAN
Teacher Le Van Lap, Secretary of the Youth Union of Nuoc Oa Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, said that in order to preserve traditional values, the school not only maintains a gong team but also organizes many collective playgrounds according to different themes. Tet festivals, gong dance festivals, art competitions, etc. are held annually, creating an environment for students to exchange, learn and perform art forms of their ethnic groups.
“On Mondays and major holidays, students wear the traditional costumes of the Cor and Ca Dong people to school. Many teachers also join the group in their own ethnic costumes. Maintaining this lifestyle helps students understand the local culture more deeply, increase solidarity, and arouse the awareness of training, striving and preserving their roots right from the smallest things,” said Mr. Lap.
Create a ripple effect
During monthly activities, the Gong Club of Nam Tra My Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School (Nam Tra My Commune) proactively invites artisans and people knowledgeable about the culture of the Ca Dong and Xe Dang ethnic groups to teach. Mr. Dinh Hong Chau, a Ca Dong ethnic group in Nam Tra My Commune, shared that knowing the school's interest in preserving traditional culture, he immediately agreed to participate. This is an opportunity for him to bring the gong and drum beats closer to the next generation.
“Not only does it help students get acquainted with and develop a love for gongs, but it also introduces the origin, meaning, and sacred role of these instruments in the spiritual life of ethnic minorities. When young people understand traditional culture, their awareness of preservation will be higher,” Mr. Chau shared.
Teachers of Nam Tra My Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School instruct students on how to play drums and gongs. Photo: HO QUAN
Mr. Ho Van Viet, Vice Principal of Nam Tra My Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, said that the Gong Club has 20 students participating regularly. The school also mobilized 6 teachers who are ethnic minorities, knowledgeable about traditional culture, to participate in running the club and take charge of activities. Thanks to that, the club's activities become more exciting and interesting, helping students quickly approach each movement, step, and hand position in traditional gong dances.
“In addition to practicing gongs, students also learn more about the rituals and good customs of ethnic minorities. The school creates conditions for them to participate in performances at school activities. Hopefully, they will be active propagandists, spreading the message to their friends around them, so that traditional values can be promoted,” Mr. Viet shared.
Students of Tay Giang Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities perform traditional rituals during the new rice festival held at the school. Photo: HO QUAN
In recent years, in the western part of the city, dozens of ethnic boarding and semi-boarding schools have paid more attention and invested more in cultural preservation activities. Schools have proactively maintained the organization of traditional festivals of ethnic minorities, such as: celebrating the new rice, Tet season...; established gong clubs of the school and class; integrated traditional education into extracurricular and classroom activities such as lessons on traditional crafts, visiting museums, visiting historical sites, and participating in local traditional festivals.
Teacher Ho Thi Tam, Head of the Team of Ly Tu Trong Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Tra Tan Commune) shared that in the modern life, preserving the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities faces many difficulties, especially when the young generation is not interested. Nurturing love for culture right from school plays an important role, contributing to the effectiveness of local preservation efforts.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/giu-lua-van-hoa-trong-nhung-mai-truong-vung-cao-3311798.html
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