Artisan Huu Van Kel is 59 years old this year, but he has not stopped making efforts in the cause of preserving and promoting the identity of his ethnic people. In addition to being the Captain of the Big Drum Band, Mr. Kel is also the Captain of the Sa-dam Drum Team, the Head of the Folk Cultural Activities Club of Cay Kho Hamlet; a prestigious person in the village; and a local Khmer teacher. He is a person who has a background in studying and has a deep understanding of the origins, traditions, and customs of the Khmer people. He is always dedicated to preserving the cultural identity of his ethnic group. He is currently in charge of preserving various types of ethnic musical instruments.

In order to preserve and promote the national cultural identity, Mr. Huu Van Kel constantly teaches the young generation the traditional dances of the nation, especially to serve the traditional New Year Chol Chnam Thmay 2025.

In order to preserve and promote the national cultural identity, Mr. Huu Van Kel constantly teaches the young generation the traditional dances of the nation, especially to serve the traditional New Year Chol Chnam Thmay 2025.

In particular, in the days before the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year of the Khmer people in 2025, Mr. Huu Van Kel also organized teaching ethnic children traditional dances to serve the entertainment during the 3 days of Tet.

In the small house of the family of Artisan Huu Van Kel, the musical instruments are always kept neatly and carefully preserved so that when visitors come to visit, they can easily see and approach to learn. In addition, when people near and far have needs, Mr. Kel is always ready to serve wholeheartedly. Recently, he was given many traditional Khmer costumes along with some cultural instruments and cabinets to ensure safety by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ca Mau province.

Musical instruments are carefully and neatly kept and preserved by Artisan Huu Van Kel.

Musical instruments are carefully and neatly kept and preserved by Artisan Huu Van Kel.

Talking about the work of preserving ethnic culture, Artisan Huu Van Kel said: “In the context of strong integration as today, there are many concerns that the traditional culture of ethnic minorities will gradually fade away without the contribution of the younger generations. I always wonder how to preserve and promote the cultural values ​​of my ethnic group, helping people understand better, especially the younger generation so that they do not turn their backs on the traditional culture that their ancestors have worked hard to create and pass down to the present. In particular, the large drum instrument is often used in important events taking place in phum, soc and in Khmer Theravada pagodas. Therefore, the work of preserving and maintaining is extremely necessary.”

“Up to now, after nearly 30 years of being attached to this profession, it is because I am so passionate about it that after my father and the elders passed away, I was determined to re-establish a musical instrument team, including big drum music. In addition, I also teach the children and grandchildren traditional dances (Ram vong, Saravan, Lam leo...). I hope to have successors, especially the current young generation, to contribute to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of our nation. Not only the big drum music genre, but also the national identity that our ancestors left behind, we must together preserve and promote it,” Mr. Kel shared./.

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Source: https://baocamau.vn/nguoi-giu-hon-van-hoa-dan-toc-a38377.html