Musical instruments that preserve the soul of Muong ethnic culture

The Muong ethnic group accounts for 8.4% of the province's population, residing mainly along the Da River in Phu Yen, Bac Yen, Moc Chau and Mai Son districts. The culture of the Muong ethnic group is diverse and rich, especially the unique musical instruments that have been preserved and passed down through many generations.

Duong and Dam Duong are considered symbols of Muong ethnic culture in Son La .

There are many types of Muong ethnic musical instruments, such as: Duong, gong, wooden drum, co ke, flute oi... Among those musical instruments, Duong is considered a symbol of Muong ethnic culture. Duong is actually a mortar used to pound rice, hold indigo dyeing water of the Muong people, made from the trunk of Tro Chi and Sang trees; Duong is shaped like a dugout canoe, hollow, 0.5m wide, 2m or more long; the pestles are cylindrical in shape, about 1.5m long, the middle of the body is tapered to fit the hand. Dam Duong or Cham Duong is performed on traditional New Year's occasions, seasonal festivals, weddings or housewarming...

The stabbing team is divided into two parts: the “cai” and the “con”. The “cai” is an experienced person who leads the “duong”, while the “con” are the remaining members of the team. When performing, stabbing the “duong” will have three basic movements: pounding, smashing and hitting. Pounding is stabbing the pestle head straight into the wall of the “duong”; hitting is using the edge of the pestle head to hit the wall of the “duong” hard; hitting is hitting the two edges of the pestle head together.

Mr. Tran Van Phan, Kem village, Muong Lang commune, Phu Yen district, one of the elderly who still collects and understands about duong, shared: The Muong people here believe that the louder and more bustling the duong sounds, the more favorable the weather will be that year, the crops will be bountiful, and the people of Muong village will have much luck and peace.

Gong is also a famous musical instrument of the Muong ethnic group in Son La.

In addition, gongs are also famous musical instruments of the Muong ethnic group. A complete set of 12 gongs is made from brass or bronze, including 4 large gongs, 4 medium gongs and 4 small gongs. When performing, the gong player often plays the opening gong sounds called giong to guide the gong set, as well as to focus the attention of the listeners. After that, the other gongs will sound with high and low tones, joining in the fun of everyone.

In addition to gongs and gongs, wooden drums are also important musical instruments in the Muong ethnic musical instrument set. Mr. Ha Van Trung, Lan village, Muong Do commune, Phu Yen district, shared: The Muong ethnic group has two types of drums, the big drum and the small drum. To make a long big drum, you need to find a sturdy tree, usually doi or lat hoa wood. The drum skin is made from old cowhide, which is treated to remove hair and soaked in deodorant water, dried in the sun, and hung over the kitchen to increase durability. When the drum is held, the sound of the drum will be clear and firm. The small drum is also made similarly, but is smaller in size.

Mr. Ha Van Trung, Lan village, Muong Do commune, Phu Yen district makes traditional drums of the Muong ethnic group.

The sound of bamboo poles, gongs and drums with special timbres combined with typical dances and songs, the sound is sometimes deep, sometimes clear, echoing in the mountains and forests, fully expressing the range of emotions, easily touching the hearts of the listeners and demonstrating the spirit of community solidarity.

Big drum, small drum, drumstick and some Muong ethnic musical instruments of Phu Yen district.

Up to now, the traditional musical instruments of the Muong ethnic group have been preserved by generations and some have been improved to suit modern life. This shows the lasting spiritual value and irreplaceable important position of traditional musical instruments and folk music in the thousand-year-old culture of the Muong ethnic group in the face of constant changes in contemporary art.

Article and photos: Truong Son

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