Throughout Thailand - Spring Song in Muong Lo

In the early days of spring, a festive atmosphere permeates the Muong Lo basin. Beside the green fields, where villages nestle against the mountains, laughter and conversation blend with the rhythm of drums, flutes, and especially the melodious, resonant Thai folk songs, like a welcoming greeting to the new season.

For generations, the Muong Lo region has been considered the cultural cradle of the Northwest Thai people. There, Khap is not just folk music, but the "soul," the "thread" connecting people with nature, with the community, and with the spiritual world .

The Thai people sing Khắp when going to the fields or working in the rice paddies; they sing to share joy and express sorrow; they sing to express love and engage in playful exchanges; they sing during festivals, ceremonies, weddings, and housewarming parties... These simple songs, passed down orally through generations, live on through the years without the need for writing. Through Khắp, countless young men and women have found love and built their homes together.

In spring, the Thai villages in Nghia Lo, Trung Tam, Cau Thia wards and the Muong Lo "basin" commune enter the festival season. Images of Thai girls in traditional costumes, such as the "ao com" and "khaki" headscarves, seem to have stepped out of fairy tales as they excitedly head to the festival. The "Khap" songs resonate in the flickering firelight, blending with the melodies of "Xong Tru Xon Xao" (Farewell to the Lover) and "Stories of the Muong Village"—melody that stirs the heart.

Artisan Dieu Thi Xieng, from Deu 2 village, Nghia Lo ward, shared: "Khap songs are usually rhyming poems, with one line following another, praising the homeland, labor, moral principles, and love between couples. Therefore, for us Thai people, singing Khap is an indispensable folk song in community life."

In particular, Khắp plays a significant role in religious life. For the Thái people of Mường Lò, deities are a source of spiritual support, helping people avoid misfortune and calamities, and guiding them towards a peaceful and prosperous life. Therefore, folk songs used in rituals always carry the meaning of blessings, prayers for good fortune, and encouragement for people to strive for success. In ceremonies such as housewarming parties, baby showers, and weddings, Khắp melodies are sung according to clear themes. Currently, many new songs have been composed, but according to artisan Điêu Thị Siêng, ancient melodies like "Xống trụ xôn xao" (Farewell to a lover) are irreplaceable and must be preserved and passed down intact to future generations.

Mr. Dinh Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghia Lo Ward, affirmed: "The Thai Khap is the voice of the Thai people of Muong Lo, expressing their aspirations for work, marital happiness, and faith in life. Preserving and promoting Thai Khap is about safeguarding the 'soul' of ethnic culture in the flow of modernity."

As spring arrives, amidst the vibrant Xoe dances and the melodious Khắp songs, Muong Lo emerges as both ancient and fresh. Only those who have once been intoxicated by the rice wine, the Xoe dances, and the Khắp songs here can truly appreciate the value of the "soul" of the Thai folk songs and dances – a enduring color in the diverse tapestry of Vietnamese culture.

Presented by: Thanh Ba

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/khap-thai-xuan-ca-giua-muong-lo-post893961.html