Xoan singing, also known as Khuc Mon Dinh (singing at the temple gate), is a style of singing dedicated to deities. It is a type of ritual folk song, a customary art form combining musical instruments, singing, and dancing to serve the religious needs of the community. Xoan singing originated in ancient villages located in the center of the Van Lang capital during the time of King Hung's founding of the nation, and later spread to neighboring areas, including Luong Son commune, Yen Lap district.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi (center) - Head of the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club - teaches ancient Xoan melodies to club members.
The Luong Son Xoan Singing Club has over 20 members of the Muong ethnic group, the oldest of whom is nearly 80 years old. Despite the difficulties in maintaining, teaching, and practicing Xoan singing, the members persevere in preserving and spreading this intangible cultural heritage of humanity to the public. Xoan singing artist Nguyen Thi Hoi, 68 years old – the head of the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club – is always actively learning, performing, and teaching Xoan singing. Twelve years ago, Ms. Hoi attended a Xoan singing class, and since then has diligently practiced to improve her singing technique and performance skills, actively teaching members of other Xoan singing clubs in the locality.
Deeply committed to the traditional songs passed down from their ancestors, the club members raise funds themselves and lend them money, using the interest to cover living expenses. Whenever invited to perform, the members contribute their own money to prepare costumes, props, and scripts. Thanks to people like Mrs. Hoi who love and persevere in preserving this cultural heritage, the Xoan singing style in Luong Son has been passed down through many generations, becoming a source of pride for the people of Luong Son today.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi, head of the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club, said: “Participating in the Xoan singing club brings us more joy in our old age. Despite our advanced age, the members are still enthusiastic about practicing and performing ancient Xoan songs. To prevent the melodies from being lost, I and the club members often take advantage of our free time to teach the melodies and songs of Xoan to our children and grandchildren.”
Even the elderly members are enthusiastic about practicing.
The artisans are all elderly, and passing on their skills to the younger generation is difficult because young people are no longer interested in traditional folk songs. What saddens Ms. Hoi most is that initially, many people loved and joined the club, but then they gradually left. When the club was first established, it had over 40 members, but now only 20 remain, all of whom are elderly. However, the women and mothers have not given up; they still gather daily and weekly for club activities, hoping to pass on their love for Xoan folk songs to future generations.
Ms. Ha Thi Hong Ha, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Luong Son commune, said: "For many years, to preserve and maintain the Xoan singing heritage, artisans from the clubs have regularly participated. With enthusiasm and passion for Xoan melodies, the artisans have not shied away from difficulties to maintain their activities. In particular, the artisans and key figures in Xoan singing in Luong Son are mainly from the Muong ethnic group. The Women's Union of the commune has promoted Xoan singing and dancing to the people, and sent experienced artisans to participate in training courses organized by higher-level departments. The Xoan singing club of Luong Son commune actively participates in cultural exchange programs at the commune and district levels."
In the coming period, the Women's Union of the commune will continue to coordinate with the commune's departments and organizations to promote Xoan singing to all residents. They will also cooperate with artisans to teach Xoan singing to young people in the area. At the same time, they will advise the Commune People's Committee on providing funding for these activities.
Through its practical activities in the past, the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club has contributed to the effective implementation of the work of preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development under Project 6 of the Targeted Program for socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas giai đoạn 2021-2030.
An Khe
Source: https://baophutho.vn/khuc-mon-dinh-tren-dat-rung-luong-son-223742.htm
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