Reviving "Ama's Mementos"

The song “Ama’s keepsake” is the latest composition of musician Danh Zoram (real name Zoram Huu Danh), a Co Tu man from Tay Giang who is living and working in Ho Chi Minh City.

The song was born after musician Danh Zoram read an article of the same name by journalist Alang Nguoc published in the Quang Nam Culture Monthly, March 2025 issue.

Touched by the story of journalist Alang Nguoc with his family's memorabilia preserved for over 50 years, musician Danh Zoram completed the song in just under an hour. A demo was made immediately afterwards to give to Alang Nguoc. After many edits, the lyrics were unified, ensuring that they fit the historical story of the journalist's family.

Journalist Alang Nguoc with the article "Ama's keepsake" published in Quang Nam Culture publication, March 2025. Photo: DV

Musician Danh Zoram shared that the song “Ama’s keepsakes” was inspired by the true story of journalist Alang Nguoc. For more than half a century, the keepsakes that Ama (father - in Co Tu language) brought back from the battlefield have always been cherished and kept as family treasures… “The emotional connections touch each other’s hearts. A few days later, journalist Alang Nguoc completed the recording and sent it to me for music mixing. Listening to the song over and over again, I was truly moved” - musician Danh Zoram confided.

The first time he did a music project, Alang Nguoc said, it was the historical story that drew him into the job, which was not a journalist's forte.

A scene from the MV "Ama's Legacy". Photo: DV

Moreover, in this appearance, he took on the role of both singer, character in the scenes, and participated in the script of the music video. Therefore, for nearly a month, he spent almost all of his time and passion to carry out his "own" project with the journey of recreating the historical story of war relics. Fortunately, with the support of colleagues, friends and family, the MV "Ama's relics" was made with a budget of almost... 0 VND.

To make the MV, journalist Alang Nguoc made the most of his family’s living space to film the scenes. The entire crew, actors, costumes, and film set were all supported by relatives and the Co Tu community to create simple, intimate scenes. With a “homegrown” team participating, the MV “Ama’s keepsake” is expected to bring viewers a true and vivid historical story about a Co Tu veteran family in the western region of Quang Nam.

“After more than 50 years of storage, Ama’s memorabilia, although no longer intact, each item carries a lot of valuable historical information and value, from the antler, syringe, ammunition box, black and white portrait album of comrades, to various medals and awards… Each memorabilia is a beautiful story, reminding children and grandchildren of pride and gratitude to previous generations. That is even more meaningful and valuable when the whole country is looking forward to the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country” - journalist Alang Nguoc confided.

Passionate about music since childhood, journalist Alang Nguoc - currently a reporter for Quang Nam Newspaper, Head of the Association of Culture and Arts of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas (under the Quang Nam Province Association of Culture and Arts) has participated in many cultural and artistic activities in the locality. In 2008, he won the Second Prize at the Quang Nam Province Student Singing Festival; the First Prize at the Central Highlands Region Journalists' Singing Festival and the Encouragement Prize at the 5th National Festival of Vietnamese Journalists' Singing - 2016...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/song-day-nhung-ky-vat-cua-ama-3153753.html