Mr. Sa Van Cam instructs the locals on how to read the ancient Tay script.
In a traditional stilt house steeped in ethnic culture, Mr. Sa Van Cam enthusiastically guides the elders of Chieng Cang hamlet, Muong Chieng commune (Da Bac district) on how to read the ancient Tay script. In his hometown of Muong Chieng, over 70% of the population is Tay, but very few know how to read or write the ancient Tay script. Even listening to and speaking the Tay language has gradually faded over the years. Having dedicated his heart and soul to understanding, restoring, and passing on the essence of his ethnic culture, Mr. Cam's "sweet fruits" today are the model of "Preserving and Promoting the Cultural Identity of the Ancient Tay Script," the Tay script classes taught to all ages, the intangible medals bestowed upon him by the local people, and the collective effort to strongly spread the message: Tay people must know the Tay script.
"The Tay script has been preserved and passed down by our ancestors, but over time, fewer and fewer people know how to read and write it, especially among the younger generation. If we don't do it, who will?" - Cam pondered.
With dedication and perseverance, from 2010 to the present, he has organized 7 classes teaching the ancient Tay script, attracting over 200 students in Muong Chieng commune and neighboring communes. The model of "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the ancient Tay script" that he has built is not only a place to learn the script, but also a space for community cultural activities - where people share the language, customs, and unique characteristics of the Tay ethnic group.
Recognizing Mr. Sa Van Cam's contributions, in 2024, the Hoa Binh Provincial People's Committee recognized his model "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the ancient Tay script" as a provincial-level advanced example in the field of culture. This is both a well-deserved reward and a valuable affirmation of his efforts to preserve cultural identity in modern life.
Besides Mr. Cam, the journey of preserving the Tay script and identity in Da Bac also bears the mark of the distinguished artisan Luong Duc Chom, affectionately known as "Teacher Chom" by the people of Trung Thanh commune. Nearly 30 years of perseverance in restoring the ancient Tay script has made Teacher Chom a living symbol of love for ethnic culture.
Undeterred by sun, rain, or age, he traveled through countless villages, meeting with elders and meticulously recording every word, song, and folk melody of the Tay people. The result is a valuable archive: nearly 300 ancient books have been collected and transcribed; 1,500 proverbs, folk songs, and ballads have been recorded and translated; and dozens of folk melodies and traditional musical instruments have been restored, such as the bamboo mouth organ, mouth harp, and bamboo flute. In particular, Mr. Chom has encouraged the people to preserve their good customs and traditions, enriching the unique traditional culture of the Tay ethnic group.
Not only has he successfully translated and transcribed many ancient books into the Tay language script, but for many years, Meritorious Artisan Luong Duc Chom has also devoted much effort to teaching the Tay script within the community. His efforts to "plant" the script began in the 1990s and have continued persistently to this day. For him, the ancient Tay script is not just a language, but a sacred bridge connecting the younger generation with the ethnic traditions. His Tay script classes have spread national pride and awakened the awareness of preserving culture in each person.
He shared: "I teach my children and the people in the village to read and write the Tay script so that they understand and appreciate the cultural values of their ethnic group. From the written script, they will know how to sing Tay songs, how to dance Tay dances, how to apply customs and traditions to the education of their children and grandchildren in their families and clans, and how to maintain good traditional customs in weddings, funerals, and other spiritual rituals... In this way, we contribute to preserving and promoting the beautiful values of Tay ethnic culture."
Thanks to dedicated individuals like Mr. Chom and Mr. Cam, the ancient Tay script – "the soul of the nation" – is no longer a distant memory in the books passed down from our ancestors, but is "coming to life" every day through community classes in Da Bac. From the initial seeds of writing, the movement to learn and preserve the Tay script has now become a community cultural movement in many communes in Da Bac district. Night classes in stilt houses, cultural activities between generations… are contributing to igniting hope for a future where cultural identity is not forgotten but is honored and developed.
Through their simple yet unwavering actions, the Tay people of Da Bac are continuing to write a story of resilience, unity, and national pride. These are beautiful stories – not only for today, but also to be passed on to future generations.
Khanh An
Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/16/202428/Nguoi-Tay-Da-Bac-giu-gin-hon-cot-cua-dan-toc.htm
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