Those who preserve the flow of traditional culture
Like many Tay women in Lang Cau village, Mrs. Tran Thi Say grew up surrounded by the sweet melodies of Then and Nom songs, and the distinctive customs, traditions, and culture of Tay festivals.
At 74 years old, this Tay woman is still dedicated to the folk songs and traditional dances of her ethnic group. For Mrs. Say, the Tay Nôm songs and ancient dances are not only beautiful memories, but also a cultural heritage that needs to be continued for today and tomorrow.
Not only is she a core member of the village's performing arts group, but Mrs. Say also devotes much of her time and effort to collecting and writing new lyrics for ancient melodies, helping traditional songs become more accessible to modern life. At every gathering and rehearsal, the image of this woman with graying hair enthusiastically guiding the younger generation through each dance move and song rhythm evokes deep emotion in many.
Ms. Say shared: "The cultural values left behind by our ancestors are invaluable assets, so regularly practicing and passing them on to future generations is the most sustainable way to preserve our national identity."
Mrs. Tran Thi Khun, 73 years old, is one of the core members of the Lang Cau Village Arts Club. Recalling her youth, she used to bring her singing talent to many spring festivals and was loved by many villagers. Even now, having passed the age of "rarely seen," Mrs. Khun remains as passionate as ever about preserving the cultural identity of her people.
Ms. Khun lamented that, in the past, almost every household in the village had someone who knew how to sing Then songs, and during festivals and holidays, the Then dance would resound throughout the village. However, nowadays, the younger generation is busy studying and working far away, with little time to connect with the village and its cultural roots. Therefore, the older generation has a responsibility to pass on and preserve these traditional values.
"As long as the sound of the zither resonates and the dance moves are graceful, the soul and essence of the Tay people will endure," shared Mrs. Tran Thi Khun with heartfelt conviction.
This spirit is spreading strongly within the Tay community in Cau Village. Thanks to the dedication of elderly artisans like Mrs. Say and Mrs. Khun, traditional songs and dances are passed down to younger generations, preventing them from fading away over time. On every holiday, anniversary, or community event, the women in the village enthusiastically participate in singing and dancing, together preserving and spreading the beauty of Tay ethnic culture.
Adding beauty to the colorful tapestry of rural life and diverse cultures.
Tan Hop is home to seven ethnic groups, with ethnic minorities accounting for 82.3% of the population, including 17% Tay people, distributed across many villages throughout the commune.
In the villages of Tan Hop today, it's not difficult to find miniature Tay cultural spaces – where houses are clustered together, and where the sounds of voices, laughter, and folk songs still resonate amidst peaceful life.
Ms. Tran Thi Thoa, Head of the Women's Association in Lang Cau village, said: "Most of the residents here are Tay ethnic people, living together and closely connected for many generations. Here, from everyday traditional clothing to folk dances, Then songs, and Nom songs, everything is still present during festivals, especially the spring planting festival - when the whole community gathers and bonds in a shared cultural space."
According to Mr. Vu Tung Lam, Vice Chairman of the Tan Hop Commune People's Committee, along with promoting economic development, the locality pays special attention to preserving ethnic identity through the establishment of cultural and artistic clubs, creating spaces for people to socialize, interact, and preserve traditional values. Specifically for the Tay community, the local government is very interested in incorporating Then singing and Nom singing into typical cultural activities; at the same time, encouraging schools to organize exchanges so that Tay ethnic students can have early exposure to their ethnic culture.
Not only rich in cultural identity, the Tay community in Tan Hop also shines with a spirit of solidarity, diligence, and mutual progress in economic development. In recent years, the lives of the people have undergone many positive changes. No longer living a life of hardship as before, the people have now learned to apply effective economic models, especially cinnamon cultivation, to develop and improve their income. By the end of 2025, the entire Tan Hop commune will only have 112 poor households, accounting for 4.22%, with a relatively small number of Tay ethnic households.
As life becomes more modern, the songs become more vibrant and joyful. Amidst the increasingly fast-paced modern life, the Tay people of Tan Hop choose to enrich their spiritual lives with traditional culture, harmoniously blending the old and the new, to build a peaceful, prosperous, and happy community.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhip-tay-o-tan-hop-post891245.html
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