In the cultural and spiritual life of the Mong ethnic group, the khene (a type of bamboo flute) and khene dance art can be considered a cultural symbol. For this reason, the Mong people in Dong Hy and Phu Luong districts, Thai Nguyen province, always preserve and pass on the art of khene as a treasure, promoting its value through local cultural and tourism activities.
The sound of the flute is the voice of the heart.
In the Hmong community, many people know how to play the Hmong mouth organ (khen), but mastering the melodies and pitches is not something everyone can achieve. Hmong mouth organ artist Sung Van Sinh from Lan Quan hamlet, Tan Long commune, Dong Hy district, shared: “The mouth organ is the breath of life for the Hmong people. Learning to play and dance with the mouth organ is even more difficult than learning to read. It requires perseverance; talent is only a part of it, the important thing is to endure hardship, starting by familiarizing yourself with the different parts of the mouth organ, then learning to breathe, exhaling, and beginning to practice the dance movements.”
The Hmong flute is not only played at home on special occasions, but also during festivals and gatherings filled with friendship. In their cultural and spiritual lives, the sound of the flute and the flute itself accompany the Hmong people throughout their lives, present in both the happiest and saddest moments of each family.
Mr. Hoang Van Mui, from Van Lang commune, Dong Hy district, shared his feelings: “The sound of the Hmong flute during joyful occasions is so captivating that everyone, no matter where they are or what they are doing, stops to listen and smile. The Hmong flute, the flute itself, has become an integral part of the Hmong people's lives. Many things we can't express, we let the flute speak for us. For Hmong men, knowing how to play and dance with the Hmong flute is a source of pride. They are respected and admired by everyone in the community.”
Serving both as a musical instrument and a prop, the Hmong mouth organ is a sacred instrument connecting the earthly realm and the spiritual world , but also a means of connecting the community, sharing thoughts and feelings, and helping cultural subjects to flourish with an optimistic and joyful spirit. It is an indispensable instrument and an important part of the unique culture of the Hmong people in this region.
The Hmong people are proud of their Hmong flute art, which affirms their unique cultural identity. For this reason, the Hmong people cherish and pass down the flute and its sound as a treasure, promoting its value through cultural and tourism activities. As a result, the Hmong flute art is spreading further and further.
The Hmong people in Dong Hy district, Thai Nguyen province, play the Hmong flute during a festival. (Archival photo)
Applying this in modern life.
Today, modern life has brought many changes, but for the Hmong people, the Hmong flute still holds an important place in their cultural and spiritual life. With its soothing sounds, the flute remains a companion for Hmong men during festivals and holidays. There are still artisans who make flutes, and generations of their children and grandchildren, driven by their love for the flute, create unique flutes as a way to preserve the core values of their ethnic group.
According to flute artisan Duong Van Cho from Dong Tam hamlet, Dong Dat commune, Phu Luong district, there are four types of flute music: elementary music, minor music, middle music, and grand music. The music is accompanied by lyrics, including: original lyrics; love songs; funeral songs; and songs for sacrificing livestock.
Hmong artisans perform on the khene (a type of bamboo flute) at the program to preserve, restore, and promote the Gau Tao Festival.
"The beauty of playing the khene lies in the fact that when played, the person and the khene become one, passionately transforming each dance movement into the khene's melody. That's why there are no wasted movements; every breath, every inhale, produces the sound of the mountains and forests, conveying messages and revealing the thoughts and feelings of the khene player to friends and all things around them," added artisan Chơ.
With its unique cultural values, in 2017, the art of playing the Hmong flute in Dong Hy, Phu Luong was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This also serves as a basis and foundation for restoring, preserving, and promoting the cultural identity of the Hmong ethnic group in conjunction with community tourism development, boosting economic development for the people in this highland region.
My Dung/baodantoc.vn
Source: https://baophutho.vn/phat-huy-di-san-khen-mong-218097.htm
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