Confession of the Great Forest

The Gong Team of Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, Dong Nai province, is preparing to perform at the Binh Phuoc Marathon - Truong Tuoi Group event in 2023.

Nowadays, when the modern pace of life sweeps away many traditional values, it is touching to know a young man who has been quietly "keeping the fire" for his ethnic identity. That is Dieu Hai, born in 2001, living in group 1, hamlet 23 Lon, Tan Quan commune, Dong Nai province. In the heart of this young man, the sound of gongs of the Stieng people still resounds proudly.

Keep the Stieng culture bright

Mr. Dieu Hai was discovered by choreographer Ha Nhung when she participated in a re-enactment of the local Rain Praying Festival.

“When Hai was participating in the Co dance - one of the traditional dances of the Stieng people, I was surprised because he danced very beautifully, just like the old ladies. After learning more, I learned that Hai not only danced flexibly, but also knew how to play drums and gongs, and was even the owner of brocades with creative and unique patterns,” choreographer Ha Nhung recounted.

Not stopping at talents that are rarely reserved for men, Mr. Dieu Hai also proactively expressed to Ms. Ha Nhung his desire to contribute to preserving the cultural values of the Stieng people.

Mr. Dieu Hai shared that he came to gongs with deep admiration: “I know how to play gongs because I am very passionate about the musical instruments of my people. The opportunity came to me naturally. During a family wedding, my grandparents let me try touching the gongs and since then, the sound of gongs has echoed in my mind.”

Although he had not received formal training, Dieu Hai's love for gongs was enough to convince choreographer Ha Nhung to introduce him to join the commune's Stieng Cultural Club to learn the traditional way of playing.

Mr. Dieu Hai is also attached to the brocade weaving profession. He shared: Brocade weaving is a traditional craft that is only for Stieng women. However, witnessing the traditional craft of his people being forgotten, he was determined to restore it. He learned to weave from his grandmother - who passed on to him not only the technique but also the love for the patterns and colors on the brocade.

New vitality from gongs

In 2005, the Central Highlands gong cultural space was honored by UNESCO as “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”; in 2008, it was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is the second intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO. However, in the midst of modern life, when market entertainment culture dominates, the sound of Stieng gong is gradually becoming less popular, at risk of falling into oblivion. Teaching the younger generation is facing many difficulties, because the younger generation tends to move away from traditional values and ancient gong songs. This concern is not only for the village elders but also for the whole community and those working in cultural preservation in Dong Nai province.

In the journey to preserve the sacred sounds of the Stieng people, Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, Dong Nai province has become a “small cultural space” for the gong heritage. Here, teaching does not stop at the meaning of extracurricular activities but also ignites the fire of aspiration in the hearts of young people.

What makes the Stieng gongs unique compared to many other ethnic groups is the performance technique. Instead of using hard wooden or soft bamboo sticks to strike, the Stieng prefer to use their right hand to directly hit the outside of the gong, while their left hand blocks and pauses. This technique creates a characteristic overtone, making the gong sound vaguely mysterious and “boom boom”, not roughened by the rustling or cracking sound of the copper. This creates the sound of deep forests, underground streams and epic stories.

Music teacher Le Van Cong is the one who has devoted all his heart to reviving the sound of gongs in schools. To teach gongs to students, Mr. Cong spent time talking and connecting with local artists. From monotonous gong songs, he devoted a lot of effort and effort to arranging, combining with a S'tieng folk song (same tone), making the gong songs and performances more lively and attractive to the students. When the students began to love the sound of gongs, Mr. Cong guided them to listen to the beauty, the artistry in each gong song so that they could be proud of their ethnic culture. For Mr. Cong, teaching gongs is not only teaching students how to play music but also teaching them to understand the communal nature of this musical instrument. Each person plays one gong, but it must blend into a common song, showing solidarity and unity.

Since the days of being attached to the gong class, Thi Xuyen, a 7A student at Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary School - High School, has loved this musical instrument more. Xuyen said: "Now, every time I hear the sound of gongs, I feel like I am returning to the village, returning home during the festival when the elders play gongs around a big fire. The sound of gongs is both solemn and unique, helping me love the cultural traditions of my people even more."

From the warm and affectionate Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary School, where the sound of gongs resounds every day under the guidance of Mr. Cong, to the silent but resilient efforts of Dieu Hai, the flame of Stieng gongs continues to be lit on Dong Nai land. The sound of gongs is now not only the sound of the past but has become the sound of the future, of hope. It is a strong affirmation of national identity, a confession of the great forest sent through the hands and minds of the young generation.

Comment (0)