Guardians of the treasure trove of folk knowledge.
In the minds of the Tay people, the Then master is not simply someone who knows how to perform rituals, sing Then songs, or play the Tinh instrument well; they are the guardians of a vast treasure of folk knowledge, a sacred bridge between the earthly world and the spiritual world , between reality and the roots of the nation.
Then, through songs, musical instruments, and the lively chirping of squirrels, the Then shaman guides the villagers' offerings and wishes to the supernatural beings, conveying prayers for peace or sincere gratitude. When the Then shaman holds the zither in his hands, plucking the melodies and singing, the vast forest seems to quiet down, becoming strangely sacred and mysterious.
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| Distinguished Artisan Do Trung Huyen preserves a valuable collection of ancient Tay Nôm script books. |
For many years, the villagers have respectfully called Mr. Do Trung Huyen by the familiar name of "Then Master" of the village. He is one of the few people who still have a deep and thorough understanding of ancient Then melodies and are proficient in Tay Nôm script, an ancient script that records prayers, poems, genealogies, Then songs, and the profound worldview of his ancestors. This script, formed on the basis of radicals and Chinese characters, flexibly and creatively applies the three elements of form, sound, and meaning to truthfully record the working life, daily activities, customs, and beliefs of the community.
Under the simple stilt house, surrounded by ancient books faded with time, Mr. Huyen diligently reads each page of the manuscript, carefully comparing each stroke of the ink, transcribing, and meticulously recording each ancient Then verse to prevent its loss. For him, each character is not just a symbol, but a universal key that unlocks the door to the past, helping today's generation understand the principles of humanity and the unique identity of their people.
The Then melodies that Mr. Huyen painstakingly collected and performed all retain their original character, not following modern tastes. These are songs that reflect a broad worldview, a yearning for a peaceful life, bountiful harvests, harmonious families, and people living in harmony with nature.
With his prestige and profound knowledge, Mr. Huyen is always trusted by the people and entrusted with the responsibility of presiding over the Long Tong Festival, the largest and most important rice planting festival of the Tay people in Bac Quang. Standing amidst the vast landscape, in the solemn atmosphere of incense smoke, the Then shaman quietly performs the rituals with all the reverence and responsibility of someone who holds the soul of the heritage. Mr. Huyen shared: "The Then dance is the soul, the blood flowing in the veins of Tay culture; we always hope that the cultural identity of our people will be preserved, maintained intact, and increasingly spread throughout the community."
The power supply flows continuously.
For Meritorious Artisan Do Trung Huyen, preserving culture cannot be limited to carefully stored books in a chest; heritage must truly live within the rhythm of village life. Driven by this concern, he established the Bao Thang Village Folk Arts Troupe. For many years, he has diligently and persistently taught Then melodies, the art of playing the Tinh lute, and traditional squirrel dances to the younger generation in the region, taught the Tay Nôm script, and trained the next generation of Then masters.
In each lesson, he strictly demanded that his students not only learn the lyrics but also deeply understand the meaning of each ritual and ceremonial movement, from the opening ceremony and purification ritual to the offering to the Jade Emperor. He believed that only by understanding the origins could one sing with all their heart and preserve the true core values of ancient Then singing.
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| Distinguished artisan Do Trung Huyen teaches Then singing and Tinh playing to the younger generation. |
His dedication bore fruit as the flame of passion began to ignite in the younger generation. Do Yen Nhi, a young student at the club, excitedly shared after finishing a Then song: "Since I was little, I've accompanied him to festivals, listened to him sing Then, and loved the sound of the Tinh instrument. Coming to the class, I not only learned to sing many ancient Then songs correctly but also gained a deeper understanding of the sacred meaning of each song and the culture of my people."
Unwilling to see the nation's treasures obscured by time, Mr. Huyen dedicated much of his time to systematically organizing and dividing the content of ancient Tay Nôm script books into small, scientific , and easily understandable topics. Simultaneously, he opened a free Tay Nôm script teaching class at his home. This special class welcomes everyone, regardless of age, from the elderly seeking to rediscover their memories to young people who love their ethnic culture.
Through his dedicated guidance, many students who previously only sang Then songs based on their feelings now thoroughly understand the meaning of each lyric; in particular, some outstanding students have become shamans and spiritual leaders in their villages, following in his footsteps to shoulder the spiritual and cultural responsibilities of the community. Mr. Do Ngoc Tan, an elderly student, said emotionally: “We are extremely happy to see the cultural identity of the Tay people gradually being revived. Teacher Huyen always wholeheartedly guides the generations in the village to better understand our traditions and appreciate the culture of our people.”
Like a silkworm patiently spinning its silk, his silent contributions were deservedly recognized when, in 2022, he was honored with the title of Meritorious Artisan by the President of Vietnam . Amidst the hurried pace of modern life, the melodious sound of the Tinh lute still resonates beneath the small stilt houses in Minh Thang. This cultural stream will never be broken, because there will always be people who dedicate their lives to keeping the flame alive and passing it on, like Meritorious Artisan Do Trung Huyen.
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/202607/thay-then-cua-ban-fda65df/
