Promoting S'tieng culture to the community.

In their journey to preserve and spread the national cultural identity, the S'tieng ethnic group's artisans from Tan Hung commune, Dong Nai province, left many lasting impressions when participating in the "Youth with Traditional Culture" program at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village.

The S'tieng people of Tan Hung commune, Dong Nai province, reenact the Festival of Praying for Blessings and Peace at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village. Photo: My Ny

Beyond fostering national pride, the activity also serves as a journey of transmitting and continuing culture, contributing to promoting the beauty of S'tieng culture in Dong Nai to a wider audience, especially the younger generation.

Bringing S'tieng culture to the capital.

Traveling over 1,000 kilometers from Dong Nai to Hanoi, the S'tieng artisans from Tan Hung commune brought to the capital a cultural space rich in identity through a series of unique activities such as: performing the art of "Spring Calling from the Village," showcasing the "Spring Colors of the Highlands" fashion show , and reenacting the New Year's Blessing and Peace Prayer Festival.

In the expansive space of the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village, the resounding sounds of gongs and drums, blended with simple songs and dances, create a vibrant picture of the spiritual life of the S'tieng people. The performances are elaborately staged, from the Spring Festival gong ensemble to songs imbued with the spirit of the mountains and forests such as: "S'tieng Girl," "I Sing to Call the Sun," "S'tieng Eyes," etc. Along with these are dances recreating working life such as: Rice Harvesting in the Fields, Fishing Dance, The Sound of the Pestle in Bom Bo Village, contributing to a realistic portrayal of the cultural rhythm of the people.

A special highlight of the art program was the performance of two sets of Loc Hoa stone xylophones – national treasures dating back approximately 2,500 years BC – by artisans Duy Thao and Thi Xi. The sounds emanating from the stones transported listeners back to a primeval era, where mountains, springs, and human life were intertwined. For the S'tieng people, the stone xylophone is not just a musical instrument, but also the voice of the heart, a way of expressing thoughts, joys, and sorrows in life.

Visiting Hanoi for the first time to introduce the culture of the S'tieng people to the community, village elder Dieu Ho enthusiastically shared: “We are very proud to bring the identity of our ethnic group to the capital. This is not only an exchange and performance but also a way for artisans and the younger generation of the S'tieng people to preserve and promote the precious cultural treasure of our ethnic group.”

Notably, the journey of bringing ethnic culture from Dong Nai to the capital also included the participation of many young people from the S'tieng ethnic group in Tan Hung commune. They not only participated in performances but also actively introduced their ethnic culture to friends and tourists from near and far. Eleven-year-old Dieu Thi Linh Trang said: “By participating in the program, I directly performed songs, dances, and traditional costumes of my ethnic group for the locals and tourists. Through these activities, I understand more about S'tieng culture and will try to learn and preserve the values ​​that my grandparents and parents have passed down.”

Continuing and passing on identity...

Beyond just performing, the S'tieng artisans from Tan Hung commune also offer a diverse cultural experience, allowing visitors to truly immerse themselves in S'tieng life. Here, the artisans meticulously recreated the S'tieng people's Spring Blessing and Peace Festival. This sacred ritual, usually held in February or March, prays for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and prosperity for all families.

Simultaneously, the traditional culinary and lifestyle spaces attract many tourists to participate in the experiences. From unique bamboo coffee pipes and rustic rice paper rolls to sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes and grilled meat, everything carries the distinctive flavors of the mountains and forests of the Southeast region. Tourists can also directly participate in activities such as pounding rice, carrying rice in baskets, walking on stilts, shooting crossbows, weaving, and making brocade, thereby gaining a clearer understanding of the daily working life of the S'tieng people.

Anh Điểu Hai, a young man of the S'tiêng ethnic group (from Tân Hưng commune), shared: “Participating in activities at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village is an opportunity for the young generation of S'tiêng people like us to directly introduce the unique characteristics of our hometown, Tân Hưng, to tourists. The enthusiasm of tourists when enjoying the cuisine and experiencing traditional activities is what motivates us to become more attached, and to raise awareness of preserving and promoting our ethnic cultural identity.”

According to village elder Dieu Ho, to prevent the S'tieng culture from fading away, the local community has proactively established clubs to teach gong and stone xylophone playing, maintaining regular activities to pass on the knowledge to the younger generation. He also expressed his hope that the Party and State will continue to pay attention to and support the people in building a traditional S'tieng house in Tan Hung commune, providing a place to preserve and showcase their culture in a systematic and long-term manner.

Through cultural exchange activities, performances, and hands-on experiences, S'tieng culture in Dong Nai is not only "introduced" but also "lives" in the hearts of the public. This is a practical way to preserve, transmit, and spread the identity, contributing to enriching the diverse and unified cultural landscape of Vietnam's ethnic communities. The experiences from this journey will continue to be a driving force for artisans, especially the younger generation, to keep the flame alive and spread S'tieng culture more widely in contemporary life.

From March 18th to 24th, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a delegation to participate in the "Youth with Traditional Culture" activity at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village (Doai Phuong commune, Hanoi). This was an opportunity for ethnic communities, especially the younger generation, to meet, interact, and connect to preserve, promote, and publicize their cultural identity in the new era.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202603/quang-ba-van-hoa-stieng-den-cong-dong-cb41a79/