The snail blower in Ly Son

During the Hoang Sa Soldiers' Commemoration Ceremony on Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai), what captivated me most was the sound of the conch shell. That sacred sound once bid farewell to the ships carrying soldiers to Hoang Sa, with the mission of marking sovereignty over the islands. The sound of the conch shell is also a remembrance and tribute to the Hoang Sa soldiers of yesteryear who went and never returned. To this day, the people of the island still remember and are moved whenever the sound of the conch shell resonates in their homeland.

Mr. Le Ho blows a conch shell at the Khao Le The Linh Hoang Sa ceremony.

Mr. Vo Chu and his nephew, Mr. Le Ho, from An Vinh village, Ly Son island, are artisans who have preserved the sound of conch shells for decades. Every year, on the occasion of the Khao Le The Linh Hoang Sa ceremony, the deep, haunting sound of conch shells resonates as an indispensable part of the sacred ritual.

According to Mr. Le Ho, in the past, villagers used conch shells to patrol the island's shores and onion and garlic fields. When they spotted thieves, they would blow the conch shells to signal an alarm. However, the sound of the conch shells was not to be heard indiscriminately – it was only permitted during the Khao Le ceremony. Villagers refrained from blowing the conch shells inside their homes or in residential areas, as they considered it a call to spirits, associated with sacredness and loss.

Mr. Le Ho taught his grandson how to blow into a conch shell.

After Mr. Vo Chu passed away, the technique of blowing the conch shell was passed down to his wife's nephew, Mr. Le Ho. For nearly 10 years, artisan Le Ho has continued the work of preserving the sacred sound of the conch shell on the island. Mr. Le Ho said that to blow the conch shell well, the blower must constantly practice breath control and sound regulation. Since the age of 18, he has been passionate about this work and has been diligently taught by Mr. Vo Chu. Thanks to his skillful technique, the sound of the conch shell he blows can carry far, with varying pitches, allowing many elderly people in the village to guess the meaning of each note just by listening.

A rapid, continuous sound is an alarm signal, often used when detecting a thief. A prolonged, mournful sound is the conch shell sound in the Oath-Taking Ceremony - a farewell to soldiers who went to the Paracel Islands and never returned.

In particular, during the ritual of releasing the ceremonial boats, the sound of the conch shell must resonate like a battle trumpet, carrying the aspiration for "smooth sailing," and further strengthening the spirit of the soldiers of Hoang Sa who once set out to fulfill their sacred duty for the Fatherland.

Mr. Ho introduced the guests to the origin of the conch shell.

Not only did he continue the tradition of blowing conch shells, but Mr. Le Ho also learned from his uncle, Mr. Vo Chu, how to build ceremonial boats and perform important rituals in the Hoang Sa Soldiers' Feast. Now over 60 years old and with declining health, he has begun to focus on passing on his skills to the younger generation in the village.

Every day, after finishing his farm work, he would spend time instructing his grandchildren on how to blow the conch shell flute so that it resonated, was in rhythm, and captured the soul of the craft. For tourists or cultural researchers visiting the island, Mr. Le Ho was always willing to sit for hours telling stories about the craft of blowing the conch shell flute – a profession that not only produced sound but also carried the sacred history of the island and its people.

Mr. Vo Chu, the teacher who taught Mr. Ho how to blow conch shells.

Ly Son sunset

Currently, Mr. Le Ho is nurturing the idea of ​​transforming his own home into a small home museum, displaying artifacts related to the sound of conch shells in Hoang Sa – a sacred part of Ly Son Island's memory. He hopes to receive attention and support from researchers, local authorities, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Quang Ngai province to realize this dream.

According to him, such a vibrant space preserving memories would be far more valuable than cultural centers that are built and then left abandoned and lifeless. Because this place not only preserves artifacts, but also allows locals and tourists to directly listen to the stories and sounds that once echoed across the Hoang Sa sea and sky, from the people who were there firsthand.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/nguoi-thoi-oc-uo-ly-son-1748490700535.htm