The keeper of the Tay and Nung folk song flame in Van Trinh (Cao Bang)

Although over 60 years old, Mrs. Nong Thi Hoai's singing voice is still smooth and sweet. Mrs. Hoai's childhood was filled with soaring sli melodies, luong sluong melodies, sweet then words... from her mother's lullabies. Perhaps that's why she soon fell in love with her hometown's folk songs and revealed her artistic talent. When the commune had a policy of establishing folk song and dance clubs, Mrs. Hoai was one of the first people to participate in establishing the Van Trinh Commune Folk Song Preservation Club. As the Club's Chairwoman, Mrs. Hoai was an active factor in organizing teaching sessions, contacting more artisans, teachers... to come and guide the Club members.

The folk song preservation club of Van Trinh commune, Thach An district, Cao Bang has become the backbone of the local cultural and artistic movement.

“I am passionate about art, but it wasn’t until 2017 when my children were grown up that I became so passionate that I knocked on every door, called each person, learned their interests, and practiced together. The first class was teacher Thu Lanh, everyone came to my house to practice. At first, the club had very few people, but gradually, every cold winter night, everyone still welcomed each other to practice here. Currently, the club has more than 30 members,” Ms. Hoai shared.

Every evening, Mrs. Hoai's small house is often filled with the sounds of the gong, clappers, and sli melodies, high and low. Thanks to gathering many good singers, passionate about mass arts, and knowledgeable about local culture, the Van Trinh Folk Song Preservation Club has become a bright spot in preserving and promoting the values ​​of folk arts in Thach An district and has become the core nucleus of the commune in art competitions at all levels.

The club regularly gathers to review math lessons.

Ms. Nong Thi Luyen, a member of the Van Trinh Commune Folk Song Preservation Club, believes that maintaining and developing Then singing and Tinh lute clubs not only preserves and promotes the cultural value of this art form but also contributes to enriching the cultural life of local people. “Ms. Hoai is very enthusiastic, always encouraging the ladies, now that the club has been established, everyone is enthusiastic, united with each other, and goes to practice together. Although everyone is tired, when they pick up the instrument, they don't feel tired anymore.”

For the Tay and Nung people, Then Tinh is not only a culture and art, but also a beauty in the spiritual life of the people, often performed during holidays, Tet, longevity celebrations... Right in Cao Bang, Then singing is also divided into two typical regions: Eastern Then Tinh and Western Then Tinh. If Eastern Then Tinh is strong, powerful and bustling like handsome, talented young men, then Western Then Tinh of Thach An is soft and profound like gentle girls in the mountains. What Mrs. Hoai wishes is that today's generation not only understands the lyrics and music but also feels all the beauty in each folk song.

The then practice heritage of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is a joy for Ms. Nong Thi Hoai, a great source of motivation for her to continue to ignite her passion with the Club.

Ms. Nong Thi Hoai and Van Trinh Commune Club participated in the art festival of Thach An district.

Ms. Nong Thi Hoai shared: "Nowadays, it is very difficult for a pioneer like me to preserve cultural identity together, firstly in terms of economy , secondly in terms of conditions. I also buy a guitar from 800 to 1 million VND for everyone to borrow. From small exchanges in the village, in the neighborhood such as national solidarity day, women's day, elderly people's day... wherever there is a schedule, I will always be there."

The songs, Then melodies and the rustic Tinh lute sound blend together, making the community life more lively, spreading the traditional cultural values ​​of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. However, in order for the folk songs to be passed down to future generations, it is necessary to have enthusiastic and passionate people like Mrs. Nong Thi Hoai and members of the clubs to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, so that the folk songs can be resounded forever.

Source: https://vov.vn/van-hoa/nguoi-giu-ngon-lua-dan-ca-tay-nung-o-van-trinh-cao-bang-post1129305.vov