A prayer for peace at sea
At the Dinh Cô festival, Bả Trạo singing is not just a performance but also an important ritual. Originating from the belief in worshipping the Whale God and the Goddess, deities revered by fishermen as guardians of the sea, Bả Trạo singing carries both spiritual ritual significance and is a unique form of folk performance.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lung, head of the Ba Trao singing group in Long Hai commune, a Ba Trao team usually consists of 12-18 people, organized as a miniature representation of a boat at sea, with designated roles for the bow, stern, and other "rowers." This strict assignment of roles ensures uniformity in performance and reflects the seafaring community's concept of discipline and order. In the festival space, the team moves to the rhythm of the drums, the chants resounding decisively, harmonizing with the stylized rowing and water-scooping movements, creating a vibrant and symbolic whole.
At the heart of the Ba Trao performance is the lyrics, which guide the rhythm and convey the ritualistic content. The songs welcoming the Goddess, inviting her, or praising the merits of the Whale God carry a simple, folk-inspired melody, rich in emotional impact, and simultaneously coordinate the rowing rhythm of the entire group. Through this, the image of the boat overcoming the waves and the rowers working together is vividly recreated, not only reflecting the working life at sea but also conveying the hope for protection and safety on each voyage.
Mr. Nguyen Van Canh, representative of the Dinh Co historical site management board (Long Hai commune), said that the value of Ba Trao singing lies not in the mere performance aspect but in its spiritual depth. Each song and melody is an expression of gratitude to the sacred deities who have blessed the fishermen, while also conveying wishes for a year of favorable weather, calm seas, and peaceful waves.
Create connection
The Ba Trao singing in Long Hai does not exist as an independent performance art form, but is closely associated with the Dinh Co Festival. Every year in the second lunar month, when the festival takes place, those from Long Hai who have a connection with Ba Trao, whether still living locally or working far away, all arrange to return to participate.
Because of these characteristics, the Ba Trao team did not develop professionally but rather had a distinctly community-oriented nature. The team members are ordinary working people, born and raised locally, working in various professions such as fishermen, laborers, small traders, factory workers, and engineers.
They participate not for remuneration or fame, but out of religious belief and gratitude towards the female deity and the male deity. This motivation creates a strong bond and helps the art of Ba Trao singing retain its original form, preventing it from being transformed into a theatrical art form.
Mr. Nguyen Van Kiet (52 years old, Hai Tan hamlet, Long Hai commune) said that although he currently lives and works in Dong Nai , every year in the second lunar month he still arranges his work to return and participate in the Ba Trao team. "After Tet, I'm always excited, eagerly awaiting the Dinh Co Festival so I can return to be with my friends and contribute a little to the festival of my hometown," Mr. Kiet expressed.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lung, most members of the team have their own lives in different places; some work in Dong Nai and Lam Dong , while others spend long periods at sea... But when the festival season comes, everyone makes arrangements to return and participate. "This is a matter of faith, of affection for the festival, so no one needs to call for it. It is this voluntary participation that has helped the Ba Trao team maintain stability over many years," Mr. Lung shared.
It can be seen that the Ba Trao singing tradition in Long Hai is maintained through the voluntary commitment of the community, as people consider it a part of their religious life. Many families have three generations participating, from grandparents and fathers to children and grandchildren... This inheritance is an important factor that helps Ba Trao singing retain its identity in the context of modern life with many changes, while maintaining a long-standing cultural value of the coastal inhabitants.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Vice Chairman of the Long Hai Commune People's Committee, said: "Ba Trao singing is an important element that creates the identity of the Dinh Co Festival, while also contributing to the preservation of heritage and strengthening community cohesion. Currently, the locality is orienting itself to integrate maritime culture into tourism development, linking the preservation of the marine space and coastal villages with culinary activities, entertainment, and cultural activities."
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghe-thuat-hat-ba-trao-cua-ngu-dan-mien-bien-post850839.html
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