Reviving the Xương Lý traditional dance troupe.

(GLO) - For more than a month now, at the Nam Hai Ancestral Temple in Xuong Ly lagoon (Nhon Ly coastal village, Quy Nhon Dong ward, Gia Lai province), the local folk dance troupe has been practicing very actively with the determination to revive this performance art form that has only remained in the memories of the elderly.

Reviving the identity of coastal villages.

Ba Trao is a form of folk performance closely associated with the coastal communities of Central Vietnam, including the coastal villages of Binh Dinh (now Gia Lai province).

In Xương Lý, the activities of this folk art form were interrupted for many years, remaining only in the stories told by the elderly. Re-establishing the Xương Lý boat dance troupe is not only about restoring a ritual but also about reviving the memories of the fishing community in the lagoon.

The Xương Lý folk dance troupe portrays all the roles according to tradition. Photo: Ngọc Nhuận

In the early days of winter, the courtyard in front of the Nam Hai Mausoleum in the Xuong Ly lagoon area of ​​Ly Chanh neighborhood (Quy Nhon Dong ward) is filled with men who have spent their lives connected to the sea. From their footwork and rhythm to each verse of their traditional folk songs, everything is meticulously adjusted and guided by the artist and choreographer Hoang Viet.

Vo Van Thuc (22 years old, residing in Ly Chanh neighborhood), the youngest member of the team, shared: “I have participated in the fishing festival for many years, but this is the first time I've been part of the boat dance team. After practicing, I realized that each movement has artistic merit and carries a lot of meaning.”

Fisherman Nguyen Thanh (standing at the front) is assigned the role of Chief Driver - one of the three most important figures in the boat-fishing team. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Assigned the role of the Chief Captain—one of the three most important characters in the troupe—Nguyen Thanh (from Ly Hoa neighborhood, Quy Nhon Dong ward) said: “The role of the Chief Captain requires a good traditional opera singing voice, and also the ability to portray the demeanor of a captain navigating the waves at sea. Although the training is hard, it's enjoyable because I'm contributing to reviving the traditional culture of my homeland.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Sang (Ly Chanh neighborhood), who was assigned the role of the Chief Merchant in the boat dance troupe, the fishermen's participation is not simply a performance, but also a symbol of solidarity and faith in the worship of whales (Ông Cá, the God of the South Sea), the deity that protects fishermen at sea, according to the folk beliefs of coastal regions.

"I had to practice more at home, standing in front of the mirror to adjust my gestures to get it right. The role of the Chief Merchant requires not only singing but also acting to convey the authority of a ship's captain," Sang shared.

Expectations from the conservation project

The Xương Lý boat dance troupe was established within the framework of the Project for the Preservation and Promotion of the Value of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Xương Lý Fishing Festival, approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The project's goal is not only to restore a form of folk performance associated with traditional fishermen's festivals, but also to create a foundation for the community to proactively preserve heritage, linking it with tourism development and rural development.

The traditional folk performance art of Binh Dinh (old) has a unique feature: it has its own script. This art form is closely associated with the spiritual culture of fishermen and has plays performed for viewers to watch.

Folklorist NGUYEN AN PHA

Mr. Duong Van Thom (75 years old) - Head of the Xuong Ly fishing village - said: "Many young people go to work far away, and the fishing profession is unstable, so if we don't do it now, it will be difficult to find a true fishing team again in a few years."

Thanks to the support project, we were able to bring the villagers together for systematic training, aiming for long-term sustainability.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Kim Chuc, Secretary of the Xuong Ly fishing village, the boat dance team will become a highlight in the annual fishing festivals and cultural-tourism events in the locality.

"The traditional boat dance will be revived, becoming an integral part of the local people's lives, and at the same time, it will contribute to attracting tourists to the Xương Lý wetlands during the fishing festival," Mr. Chức hoped.

As an invited consultant and choreographer for the Xuong Ly boat dance troupe, artist-choreographer Hoang Viet breathed new life into the troupe, playing a crucial role in helping it "take shape" according to tradition, with all the necessary roles: General Sanh (General Mud), General Thuong (General Carriage), General Lai (General Rear), 2 lantern characters, 2 tiger-themed characters, and 12 boatmen.

Choreographer and artist Hoang Viet (front row) adjusts each movement, helping the traditional boat dance troupe adhere to traditional standards. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

He also collected, restored, and revised the scripts of the traditional Vietnamese opera "Bả Trạo" according to the three acts: Serving the Gods - Setting Sail; Encountering Storms and Turning Around; Triumphant Return to Shore - preserving the authentic style of Bình Định opera through various melodies: "Hát Ban," "Tẩu Mã," "Nam," "Khách," "Bốp," etc.

Artisan Hoang Viet shared: “The beauty of the 'ba trao' performance lies not only in its rhythm and costumes, but also in its value as a folk performance. When the people of Xuong Ly sing and paddle together, that's when the 'ba trao' art truly revives. I hope that 'ba trao' in the coastal villages of the province will be preserved according to tradition and will soon be recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.”

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/hoi-sinh-doi-ba-trao-xuong-ly-post573814.html