A solid foundation from “soft power”

According to the results of the inventory of intangible cultural heritage in Dak Lak province in 2024, the whole province currently has 1,515 sets of gongs and 3,749 artisans holding various types of heritage. These artisans are the core force in preserving, conserving and promoting gong culture in villages.

Having spent many years researching and working with artisans, cultural researcher Linh Nga Nie Kdam affirmed: “Artisans are the ones who preserve and teach traditional techniques. They are also called by UNESCO as “living treasures” of the village.

In the Gong Culture Space, they not only play gongs with emotion but also master the unique rhythm and tempo of the Central Highlands gongs in general and the gongs of each ethnic minority in particular; know how to make musical instruments, compose and sing folk songs and epics...

With such a huge cultural capital, it is very important to pass on cultural values in general, and gongs in particular, to the younger generation. They not only teach techniques but also tell stories about gongs, arousing national pride.

Gong performers in the rain-praying ceremony of the Ede people. Photo: Huu Hung

For more than 20 years participating in teaching gongs, artisan Y Hiu Nie Kdam (M'Duk hamlet, Ea Tam ward, Buon Ma Thuot city) has taught many classes with hundreds of students, mainly young people from villages. The artisan's happiness is to see the maturity of his students in each gong sound, confidently participating in performances in programs, competitions, festivals in and outside the province... so that this heritage can last forever.

Not only in classes, but also in traditional ceremonies, through the sound of gongs, artisans have aroused national pride, sending messages about life, solidarity, and attachment to nature to the younger generations. Ms. H Bê Thy Nie (Ea Tul commune, Cu M'gar district), one of the young people who have participated in the village's water wharf worship ceremony many times, shared: "Through the worship ceremony, we love the water source, love nature, and have the awareness to preserve and conserve the village's water wharf...".

Through practical actions, the artisans have affirmed that the Gong Cultural Space is not only a heritage but also a living symbol, telling the story of the Central Highlands to future generations.

Implementing Resolution No. 10/2021/NQ-HDND, dated December 17, 2021 of the Provincial People's Council on "Preserving and promoting gong culture of Dak Lak province, period 2022 - 2025", every year the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinates with localities to organize classes to teach gong playing and folk dance so that the younger generation can continue to succeed the older artisans.

In parallel with teaching, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also supports the distribution of gongs to ethnic minority villages. By 2025, gongs have been distributed to almost 500 villages in the province to encourage and motivate artisans as well as raise awareness of responsibility in preserving, maintaining and promoting the value of gong cultural heritage in the community.

Representatives of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented gongs and traditional costumes to villages and hamlets in the province.

Mr. Y Nem Ong, a member of the gong team of Lieng Ong village (Dak Phoi commune, Lak district) expressed his joy: “Being given gongs, we have the conditions to practice more regularly. We hope that the young gong team will continue to receive attention so that we can perform, contributing to preserving the traditional culture of our people.”

In addition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also visited and encouraged artisans who were awarded the title of People's Artisan, Meritorious Artisan and other outstanding artisans by the State; implementing Resolution No. 06/2023/NQ-HDND, dated June 14, 2023 of the Provincial People's Council on support for artisans in the province...

From the perspective of a cultural researcher, Dr. Luong Thanh Son believes that the state needs to pay special attention to policies for artisans. In addition to material and spiritual needs, it is necessary to pay attention to the health of artisans, which is very urgent because they are likened to "a lamp in the wind". When an artisan passes away, a treasure trove of knowledge and experience is taken away and cannot be retrieved.

Thu Thao

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202505/nen-tang-vung-chac-tu-suc-manh-mem-c5816ae/