Loving songs from the village

With his love for music, Ksor Y Thu, an Ede boy born and raised in Ly village (Song Hinh commune), has contributed to preserving and spreading ethnic music to the community through songs he composed himself.

I knew Ksor Y Thu when he was studying at Phu Yen Province Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (1995 - 1998) and participated in art performances organized by the Phu Yen Provincial Youth Union (old).

Recently, I met Y Thu again at the Art Performance to celebrate the Spring of At Ty 2025 organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Yen province (old), still the young man with tanned skin and smiling eyes. In the performance night of the Song Hinh District Art Troupe, Ksor Y Thu performed the song "Song Hinh Spring Returns" which he composed himself with a strong, powerful voice typical of the Ede people. Ksor Y Thu's performance is a way to convey the culture of his people to a large audience.

Launching ceremony of Buon Ly Music Club.

Ksor Y Thu told the story of his time studying Vocal Music at the Military Culture and Arts School and the achievements of individuals and groups each time they participated in competitions and performances. “Since I was young, I have heard the sounds of gongs and seen graceful, rhythmic dances during village celebrations of harvest season, housewarming ceremonies or weddings… Those cultural activities have nurtured my passion for music . Therefore, no matter where I go, I still choose my homeland as the place to return to pursue my passion for music of my people,” Y Thu confided.

In 2007, Y Thu began to pour his heart into composing songs. He confided: “Many young people in Ly village in particular and other villages in general prefer modern music, foreign music like hip-hop. I thought, I have been trained in vocal music, so why don’t I compose songs praising the beauty of my homeland, village, and people for the younger generation to enjoy. That thought inspired me to compose folk music!”

The songs composed by Y Thu all have a common message of love for his homeland Song Hinh, love for Buon Ly, where he was born and raised. Up to now, he has composed more than 30 songs, which have been highly appreciated by the community. Typical examples include: "Spring Lullaby"; "Love So Much, Miss So Much", "Spring Comes to Song Hinh", "Girl from Ba River"; "Don't Cry, My Child"; "Gong Rhythm"; "Oh Krong Hinh"; "Farmers Have a Good Harvest"; "Chim To Ro Tuc Ve"... Among them, "Spring Lullaby" is his first song when he participated in the composition camp organized by the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities (Quan Ba ​​- Ha Giang) in 2009. This song won the B prize at the 3rd Central Ethnic Culture Festival in 2018 and the A prize at the 8th Phu Yen Province Mass Arts Festival in 2018.

Ksor Y Thu (fourth from left) discusses activities with members of the Ly Village Music Club.

At the Television Singing Festival - Sao Mai Award organized by Vietnam Television Center in Phu Yen in 2009, Ksor Y Thu won the Encouragement Prize with her song "Coming to the Highlands". Previously, at this playground, Ksor Y Thu had registered to enter the final round in Hanoi.

In early 2018, Ksor Y Thu founded the Ly Village Music Club, with himself as the Chairman, to create a place for the village's youth to come and participate. He has passed on the knowledge he learned at the Military Culture and Arts School to the members to develop their ethnic music together.

Ma Trinh, the village elder of Ly village proudly said: “Ksor Y Thu lost her mother at a young age but overcame her circumstances to study, especially her passion for music. Y Thu is a typical example for the young generation in Ly village. The villagers of Ly village are always proud of Y Thu!”

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202510/tieng-hat-yeu-thuong-tu-buon-lang-52f0fae/