Thousands of tourists see first-hand how the 'heart-wrenching Chapi' is made

Tourists wear Raglai costumes and participate in Chapi performance in stilt house - Photo: AN ANH

On May 15, the People's Committee of Bac Ai district ( Ninh Thuan ) opened the 3rd Raglai Cultural Festival, to honor and introduce the unique values ​​in the cultural life of the Raglai people of Ninh Thuan to domestic and foreign friends.

The festival was attended by thousands of locals, tourists and nearly 400 actors from Raglai communities in Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa .

Within the framework of the festival, there were unique cultural and artistic activities such as traditional Raglai cuisine and rice wine festival, Chapi making competition, display and exchange... attracting thousands of locals and tourists to cheer.

Many tourists enjoy the experience of making the Chapi, a traditional musical instrument closely associated with the life and soul of the Raglai people.

Artist Mai Tham guides tourists to play the Chapi - Photo: AN ANH

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said she had heard about the Chapi in poems and songs, but this was the first time she had touched a Chapi.

"Experiencing the Chapi firsthand not only brings joy but also helps us feel more deeply about Raglai culture" - Ms. Huong shared.

Under the enthusiastic guidance of local artisans, visitors not only learn about the history and meaning of the instrument, but also assemble, decorate it and try to play the first melodies.

This activity has brought unique cultural experiences, contributing to promoting and preserving the cultural identity of the Raglai ethnic group.

Tourists experience playing the Chapi instrument in a stilt house at the Raglai cultural festival in Bac Ai district, Ninh Thuan - Photo: DUC AN

Mr. Mai Tham, one of the Chapi artisans in the mountainous district of Bac Ai, said that the Chapi is not just a musical instrument, it is the voice of the mountains and forests and the heart of the Raglai people.

According to artisan Mai Tham, Chapi is made from wild bamboo, symbolizing the connection with nature. Each instrument is handcrafted, bearing the personal mark and soul of its maker.

"For the Raglai people, the Chapi is not only used for performance but also a part of spiritual life. It is played in rituals and traditional storytelling sessions as a way to preserve community memories through sound," said Mr. Tham.

Locals and tourists experience horse racing during the festival - Photo: AN ANH

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Thua, a tourist in Phan Rang - Thap Cham City (Ninh Thuan) shared that although he is a local, this is the first time he has experienced the Raglai cultural space and "witnessed" the process of making the Chapi.

"The Raglai ethnic culture is very unique and impressive. Ninh Thuan should invest more in forming tours and tourist routes to promote the local culture imbued with national identity," Mr. Thua suggested.

This is the third time the mountainous district of Bac Ai has organized the Raglai Cultural Festival - Photo: AN ANH

Ms. Can Thi Ha - Vice Chairwoman of Bac Ai District People's Committee (Ninh Thuan) - said that Bac Ai mountainous district currently has nearly 30,000 Raglai people living. This is also the locality with the largest Raglai population in Ninh Thuan province and the whole country.

Along with socio-economic development, the Raglai community in Bac Ai still preserves many traditional cultural rituals imbued with identity such as: new rice celebration, grave-abandoning ceremony, filial piety ceremony...

In addition, the Raglai people in Bac Ai also pass down and create unique musical instruments such as: ma la set, gourd trumpet, lithophone, chapi. Along with that is a treasure trove of poetry, folk songs and folk dances that are very special.

"Within the framework of the festival, there were traditional Raglai culinary and wine festivals and many other traditional cultural and artistic activities," said Ms. Ha.

AN ANH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hang-ngan-du-khach-xem-tan-mat-cach-che-tac-cay-dan-chapi-nghe-nao-long-20250515114003852.htm