Khmer people practice boat racing for the Khmer Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival in Go Quao commune, Nghe An province. Photo: Tieu Dien
In Go Quao commune, 44.7% of the population are Khmer people, possessing a diverse and rich cultural identity. However, changes in socio -economic life, along with the impacts of modernization and the intermingling and influx of other cultures, threaten to erode their traditional cultural values. The awareness of some people, especially the younger generation, regarding the preservation, safeguarding, and promotion of ethnic cultural values remains shallow; they do not yet fully understand the invaluable cultural heritage of their people.
Regarding the above situation, Nguyen Van Tam, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Go Quao commune, said: “In recent years, Go Quao commune has actively propagated widely among the Khmer people, helping them understand the significance of preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of the ethnic group; promoting mass cultural, artistic, and sports movements, establishing Khmer art clubs, traditional boat clubs... The commune has coordinated the organization of many classes teaching traditional culture such as teaching Khmer writing, playing five-tone music, singing and dancing...”.
The written language is the foundation of the unique cultural identity of the Khmer people. However, many Khmer people do not know how to speak, read, or write their language. Every year, during the summer, most Khmer Theravada Buddhist temples in Go Quao commune organize Khmer language classes, attracting a large number of students, including children of the Khmer community. During the summer months, Soc Sau Temple accepts students to learn the Khmer language. This activity has been maintained by the temple for many years, with a total of 21 classes and 395 students. Currently, the temple has invested in two spacious classrooms to serve the teaching of the language.
In addition, the commune actively cooperates with other localities to establish Khmer cultural clubs and troupes to continue maintaining and developing traditional cultural heritage. In 2025, the commune will hand over two sets of five-tone musical instruments and traditional costumes to the Five-Tone Music Club and the Traditional Dance Club at Rach Tia Pagoda and the new Soc Ven Pagoda; and open classes to teach the playing of five-tone music and traditional dance art. Most of the classes focus on young people to continue preserving and maintaining the beauty of the traditional cultural identity of the ethnic group. For example, the Khmer Folk Culture Club in An Phu hamlet, established in 2019 with more than 15 members, meets regularly on weekend evenings. After many years of operation, the club has created a healthy and beneficial playground, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values of the local Khmer people.
From the club, several individuals with talent and a passion for traditional musical instruments have emerged. Danh Thi Bich Thi, a member of the Khmer Folk Culture Club, shared: “During festivals, I go to the temple and see the older students playing traditional five-tone music and dancing, and I really enjoy it. After two years of studying, I can play several instruments proficiently and perform many songs. At temple festivals, I always participate in performing five-tone music and Rom Vong dances to contribute to the joyful atmosphere. I will try my best to practice and continue to preserve and develop the traditional arts and culture of my ethnic group.”
To preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of the Khmer people, Go Quao commune organizes annual art and cultural competitions and performances. Traditional Khmer festivals such as Chol Chnam Thmay, Ok Om Bok, and Sene Dolta are facilitated by the local government, helping people access their ethnic culture. Notably, the Ok Om Bok festival has been elevated to a provincial Khmer cultural, sports, and tourism festival, featuring numerous cultural, artistic, and sporting activities, including boat racing, raft competitions, and traditional music performances, all reflecting the rich cultural identity of the ethnic group.
Preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of the Khmer people not only contributes to the preservation of the national cultural heritage but also creates momentum for building a rich spiritual and cultural life in the community, helping to extend the cultural heritage of the Khmer people in the Go Quao region today.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/go-quao-giu-gin-ban-sac-khmer-a486511.html
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