A mother lulls her child to sleep, as if lulling the entire mountain range into peaceful slumber.

Melodies from the vast forest

“When I was little, I listened to my parents and village elders sing. Back then, I just found it beautiful and sang along, but the older I got, the more I realized it was the very blood and flesh of my people,” recalled artisan Le Van Trinh, a Ta Oi man from A Luoi 4 commune. From that childhood passion, he began traveling throughout the villages to collect and record folk songs. For nearly half a century, he has accumulated a rich treasure of folk songs, which he passes on to the younger generation.

He said that folk songs in the A Lưới highlands are as diverse as life itself. The Ta Oi people have songs like An to'ch, Ni nooi, Cal tieel, Kar loi… The Co Tu people have Nha Nhim, sometimes a woman's self-narrative while crossing streams in the forest, sometimes a charming call-and-response between young men and women. The Pa Co people consider Cha Chap their signature song, which can be sung anywhere, alone or in a group, with its metaphorical and cheerful lyrics.

In the flickering firelight, village elder Ho Van Hanh of A Luoi 1 commune also sang in a resounding voice: "I sing for my children and grandchildren, I sing for the mountains and forests, so that the love for my homeland may last forever…". At over seventy years old, he still maintains a strong voice, each word echoing from the vast wilderness. He said: "In the old days, there were no radios or televisions, folk songs were the thread that connected the whole village. Now I only hope my children and grandchildren will continue singing, so that the songs will not be lost."

Cultural researcher and distinguished artisan Tar Du Tu from A Luoi 2 commune shared: “I grew up listening to my mother's and grandmother's lullabies. Those lullabies, those Cha Chap, Xieng, and Kar Loi melodies, nurtured the souls of an entire generation. If we don't record and teach them, they will fade away with time.” Then, she softly sang a Pa Co lullaby: “Sleep, my child, may you grow up strong and agile like the A Vang bird, healthy like the A Mur bird…” The gentle, heartfelt melody, like a comforting embrace, filled the entire stilt house with the soothing sound of the song…

Incorporating folk songs into tourism products.

In community gatherings, it's common to see artisans teaching young people the rhythms of songs and gongs. The students are attentive, their eyes shining brightly. This atmosphere shows that folk music still lives on in the community, not just in memory.

"Only when our descendants know how to sing, dance, and play musical instruments will folk songs truly be preserved," affirmed artisan Le Van Trinh. For him, folk songs must first and foremost be present in everyday life, from farming work to gatherings around the fireplace.

Cultural researcher and distinguished artisan Tar Du Tu from A Luoi 2 commune said: “Folk songs need to go beyond the villages so that more people can know about them. Connecting folk songs with tourism is the most effective way. Tourists coming to A Luoi can listen to singing, watch dancing, try drumming, playing the flute, or even learn a few popular songs. Then, folk songs will no longer be just memories but become a vibrant living experience. I hope the local authorities will build more small stages at community tourism destinations, where people can perform and interact with visitors.”

In fact, folk songs and dances have become a highlight in A Lưới's cultural festivals. The resonant gongs, the lively drums, the energetic dances, and the simple songs leave a deep impression on visitors. Many who leave A Lưới still fondly remember the lullabies sung by the fireplace, considering them a special memory from their journey back to the Trường Sơn Mountains.

According to village elder Ho Van Hanh, it is the younger generation that will be the "bridge" to spread folk songs further: "I'm old now, how much longer can I sing? But if my children and grandchildren still sing, and visitors still listen, then the folk melodies, the lullabies of grandmothers and mothers, will never disappear. That's how we preserve the mountains and forests, and maintain our cultural identity for future generations."

Amidst the vast forests today, a mother's lullaby still resonates, nurturing the souls of children and becoming a resounding symphony of the mountains and forests. These melodies will continue to spread, carrying with them the love, pride, and identity of the people of A Lưới.

Bach Chau

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/loi-ru-tren-day-truong-son-164494.html