Co Tu village festival fosters unity.

Katu boys and girls, dressed in their traditional costumes, danced and sang the tang tung da da dance at the first-ever community cultural festival held since Song Kon commune officially merged with the new administrative unit.

The Co Tu community in Song Kon commune performs the Tang Tung Da Da dance during their cultural festival. Photo: ALANG NGUOC

Village festival gongs

The gongs and drums sounded. Right in the courtyard of the commune's People's Committee, thousands of local people and tourists witnessed the opening ceremony of the first Co Tu Traditional Culture Festival of Song Kon Commune - 2025, performed by the people of the land. This is considered the beginning of a journey to celebrate their proud cultural identity, with an open space and the largest festival ever held in the mountainous areas of Da Nang city at this time.

Mr. Do Huu Tung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Kon commune, said that the festival carries a clear message about the spirit of solidarity, evoking national pride associated with the preservation of traditional cultural values. This message is expressed throughout the festival, with the highlight being the Pơrngoóch brotherhood ceremony, a long-standing custom preserved by the Co Tu people. In Pơrngoóch, cultural values ​​are expected to become a distinctive tourism product to serve visitors.

Joy shines on the faces of the Co Tu boys and girls during the drum and gong performance. Photo: ALANG NGUOC

“Thousands of artisans and tourists have gathered here, embracing the vibrant and unique culture of the Co Tu people. Everyone has immersed themselves in the Tan Tung Da Da dance, witnessing and experiencing the distinctive art forms of the Co Tu people, from the Pơrngoóch brotherhood ceremony, drum and gong performances, Tan Tung Da Da dance, to culinary demonstrations, slingshot shooting, stilt walking, and folk singing and storytelling... Each traditional ritual is recreated, deeply reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the community, opening up a fresh perspective for tourists on their journey to preserve traditional cultural values,” Mr. Tung shared.

Each performance by the Co Tu artisans from the 11 villages in the commune always creates surprises, containing stories of unity after the merger. To the rhythm of drums and gongs marking the start of the festival, Co Tu boys and girls mingle in their vibrant traditional costumes. As the bonfire is lit, thousands of locals and tourists join in the "dance to the heavens," singing amidst the swirling mountain mist.

Spreading cultural values

On the first night of the festival, the elderly Co Tu people sat inside the traditional house, singing folk songs to the delight of the visitors. This unique art form, recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, is usually reserved for the village elders. In the warm glow of rice wine, the folk songs were sung as a kind of "competition," initiating stories of community bonding.

Elders of the Co Tu ethnic group "compete" in reciting and singing folk songs. Photo: ALANG NGUOC

According to Elder Pơloong Jưi, a respected figure in A Rớch village, the traditional art of storytelling and singing is considered the opening act among the village elders during traditional festivals. The lively sounds of drums and gongs, combined with the rhythmic storytelling and singing, enhance the value of traditional culture. Proud of their ancestral identity, the Cơ Tu people strive to preserve this valuable heritage, creating an impetus for passing it on to the younger generation, connecting and spreading the unique values ​​of their community.

Each spoken and sung folk song has unique content, reflecting the story of the Co Tu village that the singer wishes to tell. The beauty of these folk songs lies in the imagery of animals and place names used as metaphors, prompting listeners to engage in lively and responsive discussions. The more layers of meaning the speaker incorporates, the more skillful their spoken and sung folk songs are demonstrated.

The innocent beauty of Co Tu children. Photo: ALANG NGUOC

“This year, the theme of the folk songs and chants revolves around the spirit of solidarity among the Co Tu communities of the three communes of Song Kon, Jo Ngay, and the former A Ting. Through folk songs, the Co Tu people can understand each other better, and together contribute to building a more prosperous homeland,” Elder Poloong Jui shared.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nghiem, Secretary of the Party Committee of Song Kon commune, following the success of the festival, the locality plans to maintain the event on an annual basis.

The content is flexible according to each theme, linking the reenactment of rituals with the preservation of traditional culture to meet the demands of innovation, create a strong ripple effect, and quickly transform the Co Tu cultural values ​​into a unique tourism "specialty" for visitors on their journey to explore and experience the Truong Son mountain range...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/hoi-lang-co-tu-gan-ket-3303420.html