Practitioners and keepers of Dong Nai folk culture alive

From right to left, Ngoc Nguyen and Thanh Mai practice singing bong roi, a local folk song in Trang Dai ward (Bien Hoa city). Photo: L.Na

They silently keep the legacy alive so that the beauty of folk beliefs and arts can be preserved and passed on through many generations.

Practice of Mother Goddess worship

Having practiced the intangible cultural heritage of Mother Goddess worship for 28 years, artisan Nguyen Hoai Thanh (residing in Huong Phuoc quarter, Phuoc Tan ward, Bien Hoa city) has devoted all her heart to learning, protecting and promoting the value of this belief. Despite many difficulties, she still regularly participates in ritual practice sessions, contributing to preserving the unique cultural features of the Vietnamese people.

Artisan Hoai Thanh said that she came to the Mother Goddess worship by chance. In 1990, she had the opportunity to meet Meritorious Artisan Tran Thi Lieu (living in Hanoi ), directly watching the ritual practice sessions, from which she decided to study. From 1998-2022, Ms. Hoai Thanh participated in practicing at many temples across the country, and actively participated in Chau Van singing competitions and festivals in many localities.

With her contributions, Ms. Hoai Thanh was honored to receive many certificates of merit inside and outside the province. In particular, the Vietnam Folk Arts Association awarded the title of Folk Artist in 2016; Certificate of Merit from the Central Association of Science and Human Resources Development - Vietnam Talents in 2020; Certificate of Outstanding Southeast Asian Cultural and Spiritual Artist from the Organizing Committee of the International Economic and Cultural Integration Forum Program in 2022; Commemorative Medal for active contributions to the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese cultural and religious heritage from the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association in 2023...

Besides artisan Hoai Thanh, artisan Ho Thi Luong (living in Trang Dai ward, Bien Hoa city) is also a typical face with 15 years of attachment to the Mother Goddess worship. Since childhood, she has followed the footsteps of previous artisans, listened to Chau Van singing, visited temples across the country, and felt the sacredness and majesty in each ritual. After a period of learning, cultivating knowledge and skills, she began practicing the Mother Goddess worship in 2009.

Artisan Ho Thi Luong said that the Mother Goddess worship is very close to nature, the earth and sky, and is associated with the status of Vietnamese women. Through the process of formation and development, the Mother Goddess worship has developed into the worship of the three palaces and four palaces. Therefore, during 15 years of practice and thanks to her mastery of rituals and rules of practice, she has successfully taught it to many people.

In addition to the certificates, medals, and plaques honoring artisans, Ms. Ho Thi Luong was also awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations. In 2023, she was appointed as Deputy Head of the Survey and Research Department of Traditional Cultural Values at the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations.

Along with Southern amateur music, the Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This honor has made the community and heritage practitioners more deeply aware of the value of the heritage so that they can more actively participate in protecting and promoting its values.

Preserving and promoting traditional arts

Among the young faces contributing to preserving and spreading intangible cultural values in Dong Nai , it is impossible not to mention the two sisters Pham Ngoc Nguyen and Pham Thi Thanh Mai (residing in Trang Dai ward, Bien Hoa city).

Sharing about her journey of pursuing singing, Thanh Mai said, at first glance it seems simple, just need to wear a beautiful ao dai, hold a drum and sing, but only those who have learned it know that singing correctly and beating the drum correctly is very elaborate. She followed her mother (folk artist Dinh Thi Thanh Loan) to learn from a young age, but to memorize a song fluently takes a whole month. This profession not only requires talent, but most importantly, one must have fate and love for the profession to stick with it for a long time.

“Bong Roi and Dia Nang are mainly performed in ceremonies at communal houses and temples. Therefore, the songs and dances related to them all express gratitude to ancestors, praying for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather and wind. The performances are often held on important festivals, attracting a large number of people to attend and make offerings. Thereby, the art of Bong Roi and Dia Nang not only has religious value, but also contributes to preserving the national cultural identity,” Ms. Thanh Mai shared.

Not only being attached to the game, Ms. Thanh Mai is also passionate about the art of amateur singing, performing at many local cultural events and festivals. She regularly participates in festivals and competitions of the province and region, bringing home many awards. The most memorable memory for her is the first prize in the 2018 Dong Nai Province Amateur Singing and Cai Luong Competition organized by the Dong Nai Culture and Cinema Center. The award has given her more motivation to continue preserving and promoting the Southern amateur singing, which has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202506/nhung-nguoi-thuc-hanh-giu-lua-van-hoa-dan-gian-dong-nai-990111a/