The resounding sounds of gongs and drums

Báo Tài nguyên Môi trường•22/08/2023

Arriving in Nam Dong district (Thua Thien Hue province) on a late summer afternoon, we were surprised to witness a gong-playing class. In Thuong Nhat commune, Co Tu ethnic artisans were enthusiastically teaching gong playing to their children and grandchildren. Because the commune's cultural center was under construction, the class took place in the courtyard. Under the lights, a joyful, lively, and enthusiastic atmosphere permeated the entire area.

*Artisan Nguyen Ngoc Nam shared stories about gongs with the reporter before the class began.*

The class has over 50 students, mostly from the local community, divided into two groups: one group attends on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the other on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Every late afternoon, despite being busy with farming, family matters, etc., the villagers still make time to come to class early, gather, share stories, and wait for guidance from the artisans.

The class we attended that day was taught by artisan Nguyen Ngoc Nam. Mr. Nam is nearly 50 years old and has been involved with gongs and cymbals for a long time, cherishing them as much as his own self.

“The commune has 7 villages, and over 90% of the population are ethnic Co Tu people. The gong and cymbal are ancient musical instruments that have been associated with countless joys and sorrows of our Co Tu people. I hope to pass on to my children and grandchildren, to the younger generation, the knowledge of preserving our culture and traditions,” Mr. Nam confided before the lesson began.

For about three hours, the class was truly joyful and heartwarming. The artisans taught the younger generation how to play gong and drum rhythms, combining them with drums and other instruments. They taught the students how to play gongs and drums in rhythms for welcoming guests; celebrating new rice and moving into a new house; hunting, funerals, weddings… and other cultural and artistic activities, based on the gong and drum pieces of the Co Tu ethnic group, combined with unique local cultural elements such as Za Za, Ba Booch, Co Leng, Co Lau…

Sitting down to rest and drink a glass of water after an hour-long lesson, Mr. Ho Van Cay (from A Tin village) excitedly said, "This is the first time I've ever taken such a meaningful gong-playing class."

“For a long time, wherever I went, I only listened to the sounds, but now, with the dedicated guidance from the artisans, I'm very happy. When I first started learning, my hands were very tired and sore, and I almost gave up, but the initial difficulties passed. Once I mastered the first gong piece, I became even more fascinated with gongs and practiced more enthusiastically. I'm about to be able to play many pieces and melodies fluently…,” Mr. Cay confided.

*People in the highlands are taught how to perform gong music and basic gong pieces.*

For the Co Tu people in the majestic Truong Son mountain range, gongs and drums are a unique and beautiful traditional cultural feature that has been present in their daily lives for generations, but is currently facing the risk of fading away and being lost. The reasons stem from changes in the material and spiritual lives of the inhabitants, changes in farming methods, the relationship between humans and the natural environment, and the explosion of information technology…

In response to this situation, Nam Dong district has intensified its propaganda efforts, through which artisans have opened classes to teach the use of traditional musical instruments of the Co Tu people. Through this, the people, especially the younger generation, have become more aware of the importance of preserving and promoting the value of these musical instruments.

“Participating in the class is, first and foremost, a responsibility, and secondly, a way to continue the traditions of our ancestors. This is a meaningful and beneficial activity that helps the younger generation understand and preserve the traditional beauty and essence of our nation. Later, we will continue to pass it on to our children and grandchildren,” said Mr. Ho Van Ton (La Van village).

*Hopefully, these cultural traditions will be preserved forever in the highlands of Nam Dong.*

Speaking with reporters, Mr. Le Nhu Suu, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Nam Dong District, said that Nam Dong is a mountainous district in Thua Thien Hue province with 21 ethnic minority groups living there, accounting for 46.4% of the district's total population, mainly the Co Tu people. Over the years, the District Party Committee and the District People's Committee have implemented many solutions to support and improve the cultural and spiritual lives of the people. The awareness of officials, Party members, and all levels of the population regarding culture in general and ethnic minority culture in particular has improved. The work of preserving, maintaining, and promoting the essence of ethnic culture, especially the culture of ethnic minorities, has been given attention; cultural institutions have been built and put into operation; and many programs and plans for collecting tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the people have been implemented. All of this has contributed to the preservation and promotion of ethnic minority culture in the area.

“The gong-playing classes are held annually in many communes throughout the district, attracting hundreds of participants, with each class lasting from 20 to 25 days. This is a very correct and timely initiative, especially for the younger generations. In the future, we will continue to promote and encourage people to participate in preserving and conserving the distinctive cultural values of the Co Tu ethnic group. This includes continuing to open classes annually to teach people how to play gongs in communes and residential areas throughout the district. In particular, we will aim to incorporate gong playing into these classes…,” Mr. Suu said.

The moon was full and bright that night. Leaving the mountainous region of Nam Dong, the sounds of gongs and cymbals still echoed from the classroom. The lingering echoes of those sounds resonated, extending like the Co Tu people's love for this traditional musical instrument...

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