Songs of love from the village

I knew Ksor Y Thư when he was still studying at the Phu Yen Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School (1995 - 1998) and during his participation in arts and culture festivals organized by the Phu Yen (former) Provincial Youth Union.

Recently, I met Y Thu again at the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake 2025, organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Yen province (formerly). He was still the same tanned young man with a smile in his eyes. During the performance by the Song Hinh District Art Troupe, Ksor Y Thu performed the song "Spring Comes to Song Hinh," which he composed himself, with a strong, powerful voice characteristic of the Ede people. Ksor Y Thu's performance was a way of conveying his ethnic culture to a large audience.

The launch ceremony of the Ly Village Music Club.

Ksor Y Thư recounted his experience studying Vocal Music at the Military Academy of Culture and Arts, and the personal and collective achievements he and his group had in various competitions and performances. “Since childhood, I’ve heard the sounds of gongs and drums, seen the graceful and rhythmic dances during village harvest celebrations, housewarming ceremonies, and weddings… These cultural activities nurtured my passion for music . Therefore, no matter where I go, I always choose my homeland to return to and pursue my passion for the music of my people,” Y Thư confided.

In 2007, Y Thu began pouring his heart into songwriting. 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, since I have professional vocal training, why not compose songs that praise the beauty of my homeland, my village, and my people so that the younger generation can appreciate them? That thought motivated me to compose traditional folk music!”

The songs composed by Y Thu all share a common message: love for his homeland, Song Hinh, and for Buon Ly, where he was born and raised. To date, he has composed more than 30 songs, which have been highly appreciated by the community. Notable examples include: "Spring Lullaby"; "Loving and Missing So Much"; "Spring Comes to Song Hinh"; "Girl of the Ba River"; "Don't Cry, My Child"; "Gong Rhythm"; "Oh Krong Hinh"; "Farmers Have a Good Harvest"; "The Tơ Rơ Túc Birds Return"... Among them, "Spring Lullaby" is his debut song, composed during a songwriting camp organized by the Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities of Vietnam (Quan Ba - Ha Giang) in 2009. This song won the B prize at the 3rd Central Vietnam Ethnic Culture Festival in 2018 and the A prize at the 8th Phu Yen Provincial Folk Art Festival in 2018.

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

At the 2009 Sao Mai Television Singing Contest, organized by the Vietnam Television Center in Phu Yen, Ksor Y Thu won the Encouragement Award with her song "Coming to the Highlands". Prior to that, at the same competition, Ksor Y Thu had also qualified for the final round in Hanoi.

In early 2018, Ksor Y Thu founded the Ly Village Music Club, with himself as its chairman, to create a place for the village's youth to gather and participate in activities. He shared the knowledge he gained at the Military Academy of Culture and Arts with the members to help develop their ethnic music together.

Elder Ma Trinh of Ly village proudly said: “Ksor Y Thu lost her mother at a young age but overcame her circumstances to study, especially pursuing her passion for music. Y Thu is a prime example for the younger generation in Ly village. The villagers of Ly 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/