More gong clubs "keep the flame" of the heritage alive.

(GLO) - In addition to actively preserving the fine traditional culture of ethnic minorities in their localities, the activities of gong clubs in Gia Lai province also contribute to effectively promoting the value of the Central Highlands Gong Culture Space.

The village welcomes the new gong and drum set.

On the morning of January 17th, in Ia Grai commune, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the People's Committee of the commune, organized the launching ceremony of the Gong Club in Ore 1 village.

From early morning, 45 members had gathered in the village's spacious courtyard to prepare for the club's launch ceremony. The sounds of gongs, drums, and graceful traditional dances awakened the tranquil morning atmosphere.

The Orê 1 village gong club (Ia Grai commune) at its launch ceremony. Photo: Lam Nguyen

Ms. Rơ Mah Nhi (a member of the club) said that the village of Ôrê 1 has maintained its gong ensemble for a long time, but it lacks a common costume and a set of gongs. Each time they perform, the team has to borrow gongs from households in the village.

However, recently, at the Ia Grai Commune Gong Festival in November 2025, the team still achieved quite good results, winning the C prize. "I am very happy and excited that the club has been established and is operating in an orderly and systematic manner. The members will actively participate in training to achieve even better results," said Ms. Nhi.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Thu Huong presents a set of gongs to the Gong Club of Ore 1 village. Photo: Lam Nguyen

At the ceremony, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the club with a Jrai gong set, a tơ rưng instrument, and a portable sound system; and also provided financial support for training and performances at the launch ceremony for its members.

Presenting the gong set to the club members, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Thu Huong expressed her hope that the artisans would regularly participate in traditional cultural activities in the locality, actively contributing to events organized from the grassroots to the provincial level to preserve the identity, uphold the spirit of self-awareness and pride of their ethnic group.

Mr. Rơ Mah Thúy - Head of Ôrê 1 village - shared: “In the coming time, we will continue to encourage club members to spend more time practicing traditional gong pieces and teach gong playing to the younger generation in the village.”

Through promotion and attracting tourists to visit and experience the village, the gong ensemble will actively perform to entertain visitors, contributing to the development of local tourism.”

Expanding the model of gong clubs.

The O Re 1 Village Gong Club is the 7th club established by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the province. The first was the Leng Village Women's Gong Club (To Tung commune) in 2022; followed in 2023 by the Jrai Gong Club of residential areas 8, 9, and 10 (Ayun Pa ward).

2024 marked the launch of three similar models: the gong club of Kon Sơ Lăh village (Ia Khươl commune); the gong club of Ia Kdăm commune (now Ia Tul commune); and the Jrai traditional culture club of Ia Dreh commune. By the end of 2025, another gong club will be established in Krái village (Chư Păh commune).

Ms. Dinh Thi Khop (seated in the back) has made significant contributions to the activities of the Women's Gong Club of Leng village (To Tung commune). Photo: Lam Nguyen

Ms. Dinh Thi Khop, head of the Women's Gong Club of Leng village (To Tung commune), said: Leng village is proud to have the first women's gong club in the province, which has attracted 47 members, all of whom are Bahnar people from many generations.

With the gentle performance style of the women, the club has brought a different color to this gong ensemble, alongside the familiar robust and majestic sound of the male gong ensembles.

Since its launch, the club has promoted the value of the Central Highlands Gong Culture Space heritage to the public and tourists through performances at various cultural events.

According to information from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the coming time, the Department plans to continue developing plans and proposing funding under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas giai đoạn 2021-2030 to establish more gong clubs.

In addition, the People's Committees of communes and wards are instructed to implement the following steps according to regulations: establishing a Steering Committee, establishing a Gong Club, approving the Club's charter, organizing the congress, reporting the congress results; organizing the inauguration ceremony... and sending the documents to the Department for monitoring and guidance.

It can be seen that, through many practical activities, Gia Lai has been doing a good job of preserving and promoting the value of the Central Highlands Gong Culture Space in accordance with its commitments to UNESCO, affirming the strong vitality of the heritage in the community.

The focus on establishing well-organized and systematic gong clubs, with support from the State, has contributed to a significant shift in heritage preservation efforts.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/them-nhieu-cau-lac-bo-cong-chieng-giu-lua-di-san-post578278.html