The profession chooses the person.
Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, from Dong Duyet village, Dong Trach commune, is the only person in the village still practicing the drum-making craft. According to Mr. Toan, Dong Duyet village has been famous for its traditional Vietnamese opera (tuong boi) for hundreds of years. The drum-making craft also developed from that tradition. Not only is the drum the most important musical instrument in traditional Vietnamese opera, but it also holds a significant place in the lives of the people of Phu Trach (now Dong Trach commune) in the past.
During the war against the US, drums served as a signal for people to take shelter from bombing raids. In peacetime , drums play a role in boosting morale, encouraging people to work hard in production, culture, and arts.
For Toản's family, drum-making has been a tradition for four generations. Since childhood, Toản witnessed his grandfather and father making and playing drums. Perhaps because of this, his passion and attachment to drums have become deeply ingrained in him, and the melodies of traditional Vietnamese opera have naturally permeated his being.
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| To create a beautiful, resonant, and warm-sounding drum requires skill and meticulous attention to detail from the craftsman in every stage of production - Photo: LM |
Mr. Tran Quoc Toan shared: “Each generation in my family has someone who excels in artistic talent and passion. In my generation, by some strange coincidence, I inherited a talent and passion for drums and traditional musical instruments. Therefore, growing up, I decided to pursue an artistic path systematically by studying at the Hue Academy of Music.”
After graduating and starting work at the Quang Binh Provincial Cultural and Film Center (now the Quang Tri Provincial Cultural and Film Center), Mr. Toan still kept his passion for making and playing drums alive. Taking advantage of weekends and after-hours, he made new drums and repaired drums for customers in the area and neighboring communes.
“Currently, the traditional drum-making craft and the art of Tuong Boi (Vietnamese classical opera) in Dong Duyet village are facing the risk of gradually disappearing due to a lack of successors. I am fortunate to have learned the traditional drum-making craft and the art of Tuong Boi from the village. My current job is also related to the arts. With my passion and love for drums, I will try to maintain the craft and spread the cultural and spiritual values from the sound of the drums to everyone. My wish is that the next generation will have someone to carry on the craft to preserve the cultural essence that our ancestors left behind for hundreds of years,” Toan said thoughtfully.
Bringing traditional crafts to all corners of the country.
Mr. Le Kim Huyen has been involved in drum-making for over 30 years in Dinh Muoi village, Ninh Chau commune. Mr. Huyen said: “My wife and I are originally from Ha Nam province (now Ninh Binh province), home to Doi Tam village, famous for its traditional drum-making craft with a history of over 1,000 years. Wanting to bring our hometown's traditional craft to all parts of the country, many people from my hometown, upon growing up, took their experience and skills to other localities to establish businesses and production. My wife and I chose Ninh Chau commune as our place of residence and, as if by fate, we have been connected to this land for over 30 years.”
Drawing on his extensive experience from a village with a thousand-year history of traditional crafts, Mr. Huyen has established a reputable drum and gong production facility in the region. His facility produces various types of drums, such as rice drums, lion dance drums, school drums, and village drums, supplying dealers at Dong Hoi market, schools, and clans throughout the province. On average, Mr. Huyen's facility makes 3-4 new drums and repairs about 10 old ones each month, depending on the time of year.
According to Mr. Huyen, to make a complete drum, the craftsman must go through three main stages: preparing the buffalo hide, making the drum body (wooden frame), and assembling the drum (finishing). Drum makers must use dried jackfruit wood and old buffalo hide to create a resonant, warm drum sound through meticulous assembly of the frame, careful stretching of the hide, and securing it with bamboo pegs.
Besides making drums, Huyen's workshop also manufactures gongs to meet customer demand. Le Kim Huyen shared: "Drum making doesn't bring in a high income compared to many other professions. However, it's a family trade passed down through generations. Therefore, no matter where we go, we always try to preserve and develop the traditional craft of our village."
Le Mai
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202603/nhung-nguoi-giu-nghe-lam-trong-bcb3f93/
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