Artisan Nay Thoi: Full of love for traditional culture

Journey to preserve identity

Mr. Nay Thoi was born in 1963 and grew up in Ia Rpua village, Dat Bang commune, Krong Pa district. From a young age, he was exposed to folk songs, learned how to play gongs, and learned traditional crafts of the Jrai people. With his passion, ingenuity, and natural talent, he quickly mastered everything his ancestors taught him.

Not only is Mr. Nay Thoi good at singing Jrai folk songs, he is also a skilled drummer and gong player. The resounding sounds from his talented hands not only inspire but also help the next generation understand and appreciate more the legacy left by their ancestors.

Besides music , he is also known as a master of weaving. He meticulously weaves items such as baskets, baskets, winnowing baskets, winnowing baskets, etc. to serve family and community life. Weaving is not simply a craft but also carries profound cultural values, demonstrating the ingenuity and creative spirit of the Jrai people.

Artist Nay Thoi performs folk songs in the program “Colors of Gia Lai culture - Preservation and development”. Photo: NM

With his tireless dedication, artisan Nay Thoi has contributed to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation. He regularly teaches the young generation in the village how to sing folk songs, play gongs and weave baskets so that the Jrai culture will not be lost over time. In addition, he actively promotes ethnic culture through participating in competitions, performances, folk song festivals, ethnic cultural festivals... and many other cultural programs and events.

Mr. Ro O Thoen, a cultural and social official of Dat Bang commune, said: “Mr. Nay Thoi participated enthusiastically and responsibly in almost all cultural activities organized by all levels. He also regularly supported us in preparing props, organizing performance rehearsals, and recreating traditional festivals for the artisans to participate in district and provincial activities.

Most recently, the Dat Bang commune artisans group participated in the program "Gia Lai Cultural Colors - Preservation and Development", the Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Minorities and the 2nd Krong Pa District Agricultural Products Connection Fair - 2024. In which, Mr. Nay Thoi's role is very important, contributing to the successful completion of the task".

Quietly contributing to the community

Thanks to Mr. Nay Thoi's dedication to teaching, many young people in Ia Rpua village have learned the skills of weaving, playing gongs, and making props for traditional festivals. He was also elected by the villagers as a village elder, a prestigious person in the village. Previously, he participated in local social work, holding the position of Secretary of the village Party Cell, contributing to the overall development of the community.

Mr. Kpa Mip - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dat Bang Commune - commented: "Mr. Nay Thoi is a prestigious person, always enthusiastically participating in local activities; exemplary in complying with and implementing the State's policies and laws. His contributions to the village are very valuable and noteworthy."

Nay Thoi's family is also admired by the villagers as all three children have grown up and have stable jobs. The eldest son is currently the Chairman of the Veterans Association of Uar Commune; the second son is the Deputy Chief of Police of Ia Mláh Commune and the youngest son is a member of the Provincial Mobile Police.

In addition to cultural activities, Mr. Thoi and his wife also take care of developing the family economy with 3 hectares of cassava and sugarcane; raising 9 cows and dozens of goats, bringing in a stable income of hundreds of millions of dong each year. Thanks to their diligence and persistent work ethic, his family has a comfortable life, becoming an example for the villagers to follow.

Despite his old age, Mr. Nay Thoi is still dedicated to passing on traditional values ​​to the next generation. “Culture is the soul of a nation. If we lose culture, we will lose ourselves”- he often says this to the young people in the village when guiding them to practice gong playing, weaving... “I try to live well, enthusiastically teach with passion to contribute to promoting the identity of my people, and unite with the villagers to build the homeland”- Mr. Thoi confided.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nghe-nhan-nay-thoi-tron-tinh-yeu-voi-van-hoa-truyen-thong-post318306.html