Keeper of the ancient spirit
Elder Mau Xuan Diep, a respected figure in Ta Nia village, is considered a "tall and mighty" person in the highlands of Dong Khanh Son. In a conversation with us, Elder Diep affirmed: "Since ancient times, the Chapi instrument has been an indispensable part of Raglai families. The Chapi connects generations within families and villages, preserving the cultural lifestyle of the Raglai people. When we were young, we were fascinated by it, and then we learned from the elders how to make and play the Chapi, as well as how to weave baskets and make crossbows."
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| Elder Mau Xuan Diep performs the Chapi instrument. |
According to Elder Diep, the Chapi instrument must be made from bamboo that is not too old, cut into segments, and dried to the right degree. When crafting the instrument, one must meticulously drill holes and create the strings on the bamboo body, ensuring they don't break... Besides making Chapi instruments, Elder Diep is also very skilled in weaving baskets and making crossbows. The musical instruments and handicrafts that Elder Diep makes are originally everyday items used by the Raglai people, but with the development of society, the Raglai now use them less often. The number of people who know how to make these items is mainly elderly, and even then, it is very small. Therefore, during festivals, Elder Diep is invited to demonstrate the crafting and performance of Chapi instruments or to reenact the methods of weaving baskets and making crossbows to introduce the traditional musical instruments and handicrafts of the Raglai people to tourists from near and far. Whenever young people in the village or commune come to learn how to make them, Elder Diep happily accepts the invitation. According to Elder Diep's explanation, this is a positive sign that the traditional craft of the Raglai people is being preserved and promoted by the younger generation by being incorporated into tourism services.
Passed down and continued
Mr. Mau Hong Luyen, a respected figure in Chi Chay village, has dedicated himself to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the ethnic minority people in Dong Khanh Son commune by maintaining the traditional crafts of the Raglai people in the area. Using mainly rattan and bamboo as materials, through the skillful hands of Mr. Luyen, everyday tools for life and production such as baskets, trays, slingshots, crossbows, etc., and traditional musical instruments have become souvenirs for tourists, allowing them to better understand the culture and activities associated with the life and production of the Raglai people. Mr. Luyen shared: "I hope that more young people will love and learn how to make traditional musical instruments and handicrafts; and that more and more tourists will come to experience the life and culture of the ethnic minority people in Dong Khanh Son commune. Then, the generations-old traditions of the Raglai people will be passed on and continued."
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Danh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Khanh Son commune, said: “Currently, the Raglai ethnic minority area in the locality has few village elders and respected individuals like Mr. Mau Xuan Diep and Mr. Mau Hong Luyen who know how to craft and play the Chapi instrument, as well as preserve the traditional weaving craft of the Raglai people. In recent times, the locality has implemented many solutions to preserve the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities, including opening many classes to teach the younger generation how to play traditional musical instruments and how to make traditional Raglai handicrafts. The teaching of traditional crafts by village elders to young people not only contributes to preserving traditional cultural values but also enriches the spiritual life of the local people. In the future, the locality will continue to promote and introduce traditional Raglai handicrafts to tourists visiting Dong Khanh Son commune, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of beautiful cultural values and promoting sustainable economic development in the ethnic minority area.” ethnic minorities in the commune."
HAI LANG
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202512/nhung-nguoi-giu-lua-truyen-thong-ceb5a83/
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