Inheriting and spreading cultural resources

Not only honoring identity, this event also ignites the flame of pride in the hearts of young people, connecting the past and present in today's life.

Celebrating identity, connecting communities

500 artisans and athletes from 17 communes and towns of Dak Doa district gathered at Pine Hill Park (Dak Doa town) over the past two weekends to participate in the Ethnic Culture Festival.

The festival opens up a colorful space with a series of rich activities such as gong performances through traditional rituals (victory celebrations, new rice celebrations, grave abandonment); performances of traditional musical instruments, folk songs, folk dances, etc.

Dak Doa district's ethnic cultural festival is an opportunity to honor culture and connect ethnic communities. Photo: MC

The Kdang artisans made a strong impression with their stilt-walking performance combined with gongs and xoang. On stilts carved with traditional patterns, the artisans gracefully performed in harmony with the gong rhythm, recreating the atmosphere of “Celebrating Victory” - an ancient gong song passed down through many generations.

Mr. Poc-Old Kăng village elder (Kdang commune) recalls: More than 30 years ago, he and the artisans in the village performed this gong piece to serve a scene in the movie "The Silver Ring".

Over the years, “Celebrating Victory” has been preserved, practiced and performed by generations at many events. Even though it has been decades, every time he plays the gong, he still feels excited and happy.

The gong song represents the indomitable will of the community in the journey to conquer difficulties. Every time there is a big holiday, people perform the gong song "Celebrating Victory" to join in the common joy.

The joy was even more complete when this year, people were able to use a new set of gongs provided by the State, replacing the old set that had cracked and had lost its sound after decades of use.

“People are very happy. The festival is also an opportunity for villages to exchange, learn experiences, and raise awareness of preserving traditional cultural values,” Mr. Poc said excitedly.

Spread and continue

This year’s festival marked the large and prominent presence of the young generation. Not only contributing their youth in gong and xoang performance teams, the youth also confidently dominated the stage with ensemble performances, solo performances of traditional musical instruments and folk songs. They breathed new life into gong songs, ancient songs or coordinated well when performing traditional musical instruments.

Based on the results of the competitions: gong performance, folk singing, folk dancing, traditional musical instrument ensemble, tug of war, rice pounding, the Organizing Committee awarded prizes to the teams participating in the Dak Doa District Ethnic Culture Festival. Accordingly, Dak Doa town won first prize, Ha Bau commune won second prize and Kdang commune won third prize.

The rustic, peaceful lullabies of the Central Highlands mountains and forests take on new life through the youthful voices of children.

H'Thoa (Glar commune's artisans) is only in 5th grade but can confidently sing the song "Waiting for Mom to Weave Fabric". H'Thoa also knows many other folk songs such as "Lullaby", "Bim bôr tok goi em", "Dam may thanh candy bong".

“For a long time, I have only seen adults singing lullabies and folk songs, but rarely young people. Therefore, I also want to try. These songs are easy to remember, and when I sing them, I feel close to my family. I think when you feel these folk songs, you will love the culture of the Bahnar people even more,” H’Thoa shared.

Traditional musical instrument performance by the young generation of Ha Bau commune, Dak Doa district. Photo: MC

Danh, a Bahnar boy from Ha Bau commune, brought to the festival the gentle melodies of the folk song “Lullaby”. Danh said: “Since I was little, I have heard my mother sing folk songs while working in the fields or doing housework. Every time I sing the songs my mother used to sing, I remember my childhood memories.”

In addition to his sweet voice, Danh also performs on gongs, t'rung and many other traditional instruments.

The festival atmosphere became more profound when some folk songs were arranged by young artists with traditional musical instruments such as t'rung, k'long put, gongs...

Young people choose lullabies and ancient folk songs to perform, demonstrating the endless beauty and vitality of the folk music treasure in today's life.

Meritorious Artisan Alip, who has been a judge at the Dak Doa District Ethnic Culture Festival for many years, commented: “Although life has changed, core spiritual values ​​are still practiced and preserved by generations. The festival is a vivid picture reflecting the enduring flow of ethnic culture over time.”

What makes the artisans happiest is the strong spirit of succession as young artisans make up a large number at this year's festival.

Ms. Kieu Thu Huong - Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Dak Doa district - said: The Ethnic Cultural Festival is held annually to honor cultural identity and connect ethnic communities living in the district.

This is also an opportunity for people to exchange and learn experiences in preserving and promoting traditional culture in the era of integration.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/ke-thua-va-lan-toa-mach-nguon-van-hoa-post320779.html