Chhay Dam drum team of Ta Ngao pagoda performs during holidays and Tet at the pagoda
During my visits to Ta Ngao Pagoda, I had the opportunity to watch interesting performances by the Chhay Dam drum dance team. Through the strong, sturdy hands of Khmer teenagers, the joyful drum beats resounded, reflecting the sincerity and humor in the spiritual life of the Khmer people. The unique feature of the Chhay Dam drum performance art is that the performer plays the drum while taking on a role in the story of the work.
Chau Thanh - Captain of the Chhay Dam Drum Dance Team of Ta Ngao Pagoda shared: “To be able to play the Chhay Dam drum, you must have passion. First, you must master the technique of beating the drum at the right rhythm. The rhythm in the performance is sometimes fast, sometimes slow, so the drum beat changes continuously. Once you have mastered the rhythm, you can learn to perform the body movements and combine the drum sounds to express the content of the dance.”
According to Chau Thanh, students must practice for at least 3 months to master the basic Chhay Dam drum playing techniques. It takes about 1 year to smoothly combine body shape with drum rhythm.
“The drum team of Ta Ngao Pagoda has 18 members, aged 13-18. Those who have studied for about half a year can participate in the performance. There are difficult songs, we have to practice for months before performing for everyone to see. Because drum dancing requires good health and flexibility, only boys can participate,” said Chau Thanh.
Talking about the meaning of this unique art form, Venerable Chau Khi - the head monk of Ta Ngao Pagoda said: “The art of Chhay Dam drum performance of the Khmer people has existed for a long time. On holidays and Tet, the Khmer people often organize Chhay Dam drum performances to pray for peace and good crops. It is also an opportunity to express gratitude to nature, ancestors and gods for a prosperous life.
In the Chhay Dam drum dance, viewers see familiar characters of Khmer culture such as lizards, bird lizards, and monkey lizards. All exude a characteristic arrogant and proud look combined with humorous situations that make the dance attractive to viewers.
“The monk tries to preserve and promote the Chhay Dam drum team of the pagoda to serve the people and Buddhists. Not only in Tinh Bien ward, but also in other places where the children are invited to perform, the monk supports them. The monk hopes that the children will be able to perform more so that they can have the conditions to maintain their passion for the Chhay Dam drum,” shared monk Chau Khi.
The specialized agency is interested in preserving and promoting this unique art form. Implementing the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas of An Giang Province, the Department of Culture and Sports of An Giang Province, in coordination with dignitaries and prestigious people among the Khmer people and local authorities, organized 2 classes to teach Chhay Dam drums to nearly 50 students in O Lam Commune and Tinh Bien Ward. Through these classes, it contributes to arousing the passion of Khmer youth for this traditional art form, creating a basis for expansion in the coming time.
In particular, the Department of Culture and Sports of An Giang province coordinated with localities and the University of Culture of Ho Chi Minh City to compile a scientific dossier on "The art of Chhay Dam drum performance of the Khmer people in An Giang province" to submit to the People's Committee of An Giang province to propose the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to include this art form in the list of national intangible cultural heritage. With its typical cultural values, the art of Chhay Dam drum performance of the Khmer people in An Giang province was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism through Decision No. 1350/QD-BVHTTDL.
With the attention of the professional sector and localities with a large Khmer population, the art of Chhay Dam drum performance continues to be preserved and developed, contributing to enriching the cultural heritage of Vietnamese ethnic groups. At the same time, introducing and promoting the image of the land and people of An Giang to tourists.
| Besides the art of Chhay Dam drum performance, An Giang province also has the Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain, the Ky Yen Festival in Thoai Ngoc Hau communal house, the Bay Nui bull racing festival, the knowledge and techniques of writing on palm leaves of the Khmer people, the art of performing the stage of the Khmer people in O Lam commune, the life cycle rituals of the Cham Islam people in An Phu commune and Tan Chau ward, the brocade weaving of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune... which are recognized as national intangible cultural heritage. |
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/noi-luu-giu-nhip-trong-chhay-dam-a424435.html
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