Mr. Phung Thanh Khang (third from the left) discusses the culture and writing system of the Dao people with the trainees.
In Phu Son village, where the houses of the Dao ethnic minority are nestled on the mountainside, the image of Mr. Phung Thanh Khang (68 years old) quietly sitting beside ancient scripts has become familiar. In his twilight years, his hair has turned gray with age, but whenever the Dao Nôm script is mentioned, his eyes still light up with a rare passion.
For Mr. Khang, the Dao Nôm script is not simply a writing tool, but the soul of the ethnic group. Mr. Khang stated: “The script records the songs, customs, rituals, and moral principles of the Dao people. If the script disappears, the identity and memory of the ethnic group will gradually fade away.”
Born in Phu Son village, a region where 98% of the population are Dao ethnic people, Mr. Khang grew up in a family with a tradition of researching and preserving the culture and writing system of the Dao people. From a young age, he heard his grandparents and parents tell stories about traditional rituals such as the coming-of-age ceremony, the New Year's dance, and the ancestral worship ceremony. These stories are intertwined with handwritten books in Dao Nôm script preserved in each family and clan. It was from this that his passion for the ancient writing system of his ethnic group was kindled. Mr. Khang shared: “Since childhood, my father has taught me about the culture, customs, language, and writing system of the Dao Quan Chet ethnic group, including many ancient books such as: the Great Master's Song; the book of 24 and 36 verses of lyrics, and 7 verses of songs nearly 400 pages long (books used for initiation ceremonies and vows, and the Dao Quan Chet New Year's Dance); and various types of petitions... With a spirit of eagerness to learn, explore, and a desire to preserve the traditional cultural identity and indigenous knowledge of my ethnic group, I constantly study, research, and supplement my knowledge to preserve, conserve, and enrich the unique aspects of the cultural heritage I have learned.”
When he was young, in a time of limited resources, Mr. Khang taught himself the Dao Nôm script from old books and yellowed manuscripts. He traveled extensively through villages both within and outside the commune, seeking out elderly people who could read and write to ask them to read and explain each character and phrase. Some trips lasted weeks, even months, just to record a few pages of valuable documents.
That perseverance made him one of the most knowledgeable Dao Nôm script experts in the Phú Sơn area, and even in the former Cẩm Châu commune. Not only could he read and write fluently, but he also translated and explained the meaning of ancient texts, helping young people understand the spirit and philosophy behind each character. Many young Dao people sought him out, not only to learn the script, but also to understand their ethnic origins. However, through these young people seeking knowledge, Mr. Khang realized that the culture and writing system of the Dao people were in danger of disappearing in the face of the changing times. Therefore, since 2019, with the support of the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee (now the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs), Mr. Phùng Thanh Khang, along with other experts in Dao Nôm script, has developed a systematic preservation plan through community classes.
According to statistics, from 2019 to the present, Mr. Khang has opened and participated in teaching the Dao Nôm script to 7 classes with 280 students from the communes of Cẩm Vân, Cẩm Thạch, Nguyệt Ấn, etc. Through these classes, he not only teaches how to read and write the Dao Nôm script, but also integrates moral values, humanity, and proper conduct within the family and community.
Mr. Nguyen Quyet Chien, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Cam Van Commune, said: “Mr. Khang is a prime example in preserving traditional culture. Thanks to his dedication, many values that seemed to have been forgotten have been revived and passed on to the younger generation. The ancient books that Mr. Khang has preserved, compiled, and recorded are not only valuable learning materials but also vivid evidence of the journey of preserving the essence of Dao culture in the modern era.”
For his dedication and contributions to preserving the traditional cultural values of the Dao people, Mr. Phung Thanh Khang received Certificates of Commendation from the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee in 2012, 2022, and 2023, as well as numerous certificates of merit from the former Cam Thuy District People's Committee.
Text and photos: Le Hoa
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguoi-nang-long-gin-giu-van-hoa-dan-toc-dao-292201.htm
