The Tay and Nung people preserve Then singing.

*Members of the Tinh lute - Then singing club in Dong Ram. Photo: D.N*

Artist Ly Kim Xuyen - Head of the Then singing - Tinh lute club of Dong Ram residential group said that since its establishment, the club now has 24 members, mainly Tay and Nung people residing in the locality.

For many years now, in local mass art activities, the appearance and performance of the Then singing - Tinh lute club in Dong Ram has always received encouragement from the ethnic minority community of Nam Giang district.

After more than 35 years of living in the land along the Bung River, Mr. Ly Kim Xuyen said that all Tay and Nung residents still do not forget their roots. The proof is the restoration of the art of Then singing and Tinh lute of their people.

With the advantage of being knowledgeable about the art of Then singing and Tinh lute, for many years, Mr. Ly Kim Xuyen and a number of elderly people in Dong Ram residential group have been diligently teaching the unique art of their community.

The initial difficulties gradually passed, many members of the club can now play the beat, along with the "phong slu" melody and traditional then songs, creating motivation to develop a unique club in Truong Son Dong.

*Participate in performing at local cultural activities. Photo: D.N*

“When the club was first established, there were nights we stayed up together to teach and guide young members in learning the skills of playing the zither and singing folk songs combined with Then singing. Thanks to our spirit of solidarity and passion for preserving traditional cultural values, we have been able to maintain the Then singing and zither club and participate in performances at many large and small cultural events in the locality.”

However, the biggest difficulty at present, besides not being able to make đàn tính, is the lack of performance costumes, as well as the appreciation of traditional music among club members, especially the young.

To overcome this situation, every year, the Club's Board of Directors proposes that each member must memorize 4 then songs with many traditional melodies, creating a spread to help support each other in cultural preservation activities" - Mr. Ly Kim Xuyen said.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hung - Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Nam Giang district said that the establishment and operation of the Then singing - Tinh lute club in Dong Ram has added a new breeze to the colorful cultural story of the locality.

During festivals, the sound of the Tinh lute and Then singing will blend with the Dinh Tut, Tang Tung Da Da and other unique art forms of ethnic groups, creating a diverse and rich cultural life.

“In recent times, we have created the most favorable conditions for the Then singing and Tinh lute club to operate, aiming to link this unique art form with community tourism development, both preserving traditional culture and creating income for local people,” said Mr. Hung.

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