The Sound of the Wilderness and the Journey of Keeping the Fire Alive

Every July afternoon in the communes and wards of western Quang Ngai province, when the afternoon sun gradually sets, the sound of gongs and drums echoes throughout the vast forest in the communal houses of many villages.

THE BEAT OF THE GONGS RINGING IN THE MOUNTAINS

In Te Rong village, Kon Dao commune, every evening the sound of gongs resounds far and wide. The class teaches gongs to the younger generation with about 30 participants, from 9-10 year old children to young adults. They attentively observe the movements of the village elders, artisans and experienced people teaching how to play and coordinate the gongs, creating deep and deep melodies.

Mr. A De, one of the elders in the village, affirmed: “Gongs are traditional musical instruments with a communal character. As long as the community exists, gongs exist. The sound of gongs is indispensable in the life of the Xo Dang people, associated with all events of a person’s life: from birth, wedding day to death”. Therefore, gong classes for the younger generation are always maintained in the Te Rong village community. Every week, 3-4 evenings, everyone gathers under the communal house to study together.

According to folklore experts, gongs are the spiritual voice and soul of the Xo Dang people. Gongs express joy and sadness in the working and living life of the community. Because of such close attachment, the Xo Dang people absorb and learn to play gongs very quickly. In just two months, talented people can grasp the basic techniques to learn traditional gong songs such as: Mang nuoc, Mung la lua, Mung lua moi... Learners must first perceive the sound of gongs, how to hold the gong, play the gong and punctuate the rhythm. Each gong sound has a different "shape" and sound.

“For the Xo Dang people, gongs and gong culture are priceless assets. Gong music is not only an artistic value but also the crystallization of the sacred soul of the mountains and rivers through many generations, blending with the sound of streams, the sound of wind and the voice of people, living forever with the Xo Dang people,” Mr. A De confided.

CRYSTALLIZED COMMUNITY CULTURE

Not only Te Rong village, many other villages and hamlets in the western ethnic minority areas of Quang Ngai province also maintain and preserve gong culture. Local authorities at all levels are always interested in implementing many programs to promote and inherit gong culture.

In Kon Tu Dop 2 village, Dak To commune, people voluntarily contribute money to buy a new gong set to replace the old one. Every Sunday morning, people gather at the communal house to practice traditional gong songs. In Dak Tram commune, artisan A Thu spends time teaching children for free. He shared: “If there is no one to continue, I am afraid that tomorrow the sound of the gong will be silent. I believe that with the enthusiasm of the young generation, the sound of the great forest will resonate forever.”

In other localities, traditional gong and xoang teams have been formed and operate regularly. Commune and ward leaders consider the preservation of traditional culture a key task. Many localities have organized gong and xoang competitions and festivals on a large scale, bringing excitement and spreading national spirit. For ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, gongs are not only musical instruments, but also a “spiritual voice”, where people communicate with gods, with nature and with each other.

Many schools have incorporated gongs into extracurricular activities and have coordinated with village elders and artisans to teach students. The government has compiled records to inventory and digitize gong teams, artisans, and ancient gong sets. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province has coordinated to open classes and provide costumes and musical instruments for gong teams.

Not just sound, gongs are also history, identity, and community memories distilled over hundreds of generations. Each gong sound is a time for the Central Highlands people to tell their own story with pride... ■

LAC THUY

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/thanh-am-dai-ngan-va-hanh-trinh-giu-lua-383584.html