Promoting the role of prestigious people in cultural preservation in Buon Don

Buon Don commune is considered the cradle of unique traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities, mainly Ede, M'nong, and Lao. However, in the face of the wave of integration, many tangible and intangible cultural values are at risk of being lost.

In that context, the role of prestigious people in the community becomes more important than ever.

Mr. Y Nhi - the owner of a precious set of gongs of the nation

Mr. Y Nhi - the owner of a precious gong set in Buon Don.

In Buon Don, currently part of Buon Don commune, Mr. Y Nhi Rya (M'nong ethnic group) is preserving a priceless treasure: a set of precious gongs passed down for many generations, along with many ancient bronze jars and pots with profound historical and spiritual value.

Many antique dealers came to him many times, offering high prices for the gongs and jars, but he and his wife refused. He believed that gongs were the soul of the nation, a bridge to communicate with the gods, passed down through several generations in his family. If they were sold, the nation's soul would be lost.

Mr. Y Dem talks with people about cultural preservation

Mr. Y Dem Byă (right cover) talks with people about cultural preservation.

Mr. Y Nhi's determination not only comes from his personal will, but is also strongly reinforced by the "accompanying" of prestigious people. A typical example is Mr. Y Dem Byă. Mr. Y Dem often comes to Mr. Y Nhi Rya's house to talk and confide. Mr. Y Dem does not only talk about economic or legal values, but he also talks about the responsibility of predecessors in preserving the culture of the nation.

Many people in Buon Don still keep the ancient cups.

Buon Don commune currently has 15 ethnic groups living together, of which ethnic minorities account for more than 76% of the population. In the commune, there are currently 8 prestigious people working in the villages and hamlets of ethnic minorities. They are playing the role of a solid "fortress" to preserve the cultural identity of the nation.

Traditional festivals contribute to sustainable community cohesion in Buon Don.

In recent times, the Buon Don commune government has been strengthening the cultural preservation and conservation activities with specific activities, implemented through national target programs. Typically, the commune has implemented a pilot model of "opening a class to teach M'Nong gong playing", attracting 40 students, mainly teenagers. This activity aims to train and nurture the next generation.

Many traditional festivals such as the elephant festival are still maintained and held in Buon Don commune.

Also from this program, the commune has maintained the effective operation of a folk art troupe proficient in playing M'nong gongs, Lao musical instruments, xoang dance, lam vong dance, etc. From there, it has created a cultural "playground", a space for heritage to live and spread.

However, in reality, conservation activities must have the participation of local people. It is the consensus, advocacy and tireless conservation efforts of prestigious people in the villages that have helped raise awareness of the value of heritage and created an environment for people to confidently protect their nation's "treasure". Preserving national culture is not only the responsibility of the authorities, but a long journey that requires the joint efforts of the whole community.

Performances of gongs, folk songs and traditional folk dances of the nation are shown in the activities of Buon Don people.

Ethnic people of Buon Don participate in traditional gong, folk song and dance performances in festivals.

Affirming the indispensable role of prestigious people in preserving local ethnic culture, Mr. Le Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of Buon Don Commune People's Committee, said: Prestigious people in the area are the most important bridge between the government and the community. They are the ones who inherit and practice the heritage and most importantly, they convince people to recognize the value of the heritage.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Buon Don Commune, Le Thanh Son, also emphasized that cultural heritage exists thanks to the community and must live in the community. Therefore, in the orientation of sustainable development, the commune always seeks to make the community the cultural subject, participate in decisions, preserve culture associated with developing local community tourism and benefit from tourism. In addition, the state needs to have policies to support artisans and officials in charge of professional skills, foster expertise, support conditions for them to feel secure in creating and teaching the next generation...

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202512/phat-huy-vai-tro-nguoi-uy-tin-trong-bao-ton-van-hoa-o-buon-don-f8b0d60/