The sound of the flute on the rocky mountain

The Hmong flute is intimately connected to the lives of the Hmong people. For them, the sound of the flute is a spiritual bridge, a declaration of love, and the heartfelt expression of couples.

In the northeastern region of Dien Bien province, where rocks rise in layers and mountains are stacked upon each other, the low-roofed houses of the Mong people blend seamlessly with the rocks, faintly visible through the swirling mist. Here, the sound of the Hmong flute has accompanied the people through generations, its melodious, resonant, and mournful notes echoing through the early morning mist, lingering under the moonlight, and weaving through the rocky cliffs like an unending narrative.

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Sang Nha commune is primarily inhabited by the Mong ethnic group. In the early days of spring, peach and plum blossoms bloom throughout the village. From above, the Mong village appears hazy in the mist. In the distance, the sound of the flute rises slowly, its melancholic yet enduring melody reflecting the very lives of the people here.

For the Hmong people here, the khene (a type of bamboo mouth organ) is an important musical instrument in their daily lives as well as their spiritual lives. The sound of the khene is present on important occasions such as celebrating the birth of a child, festivals, holidays, or bidding farewell to the deceased on their final journey through life. It can be said that the life cycle of each Hmong person is inextricably linked to the khene.

Depending on the circumstances, the sound of the Hmong flute carries different emotional nuances, reflecting the customs and traditions of the Hmong people. The mournful sound of the flute, played when bidding farewell to the deceased, is usually slow and somber; while the joyful sound is rhythmic and melodious, inviting friends to the market, celebrating spring, or lovers to share their feelings.

Mr. Chang A Tang, from Ban He village, Sang Nha commune, shared: "The Hmong flute is an indispensable object in our cultural and spiritual life. Each Hmong subgroup has its own way of playing and performing, but they all express a connection and convey feelings to people and the world around us. The sound of the flute rises like the sound of our origins, transmitting and connecting people and heaven and earth, between the present, the past, and the future, silently and persistently like the cultural stream flowing through generations of Hmong people."

On the rocky plateau, where arable land is scarce, towering mountain ranges have shaped the unique sound of the bamboo flute. The sound echoes against the cliffs, lingering and swirling throughout the villages.

Amidst the modern pace of life and strong cultural exchange, many traditional cultural aspects of the Hmong people are at risk of disappearing. In Hmong villages, the sound of the Hmong flute is no longer heard as frequently as before, but it has never disappeared. To achieve this, we cannot do without cultural leaders, those who have dedicated their lives to this traditional ethnic musical instrument.

Mr. Sinh A Tau, an outstanding artisan from Hamlet 4, Sinh Phinh Commune, shared: "For me and many others, the khen (a type of bamboo flute) is the soul of the Mong ethnic group. To preserve the traditional khen music from fading away over time, I established the Sinh Phinh Commune khen team. Besides practicing and learning from each other, throughout the year the team members participate in competitions and spring festivals… thereby spreading the traditional culture of the Mong people to everyone. Along with that, the khen team is always willing to teach and encourage the younger generation to learn to play and dance with the khen."

Distinguished artisan Sinh A Tau from Sinh Phinh commune teaches how to play the khene (a type of bamboo flute).

Thanks to the dedication of village cultural leaders, in recent years, local authorities have made many efforts to preserve and promote the traditional Hmong flute in modern life. These efforts range from establishing performing arts groups and teaching classes to incorporating the Hmong flute into cultural festivals and tourism activities. This has created opportunities for practicing and spreading the sound of the Hmong flute within the community.

Mr. Doan Van Ngoc, Vice Chairman of Sang Nha Commune, said: "In order to preserve and promote the value of the Mong flute, the commune focuses on disseminating information and encouraging cultural figures to teach and promote it within the community. At the same time, we create opportunities for interaction and flute dance competitions during the spring festivals, thereby creating a space for practicing the traditional culture of the Mong ethnic group in modern life."

In the hazy twilight, the sound of the bamboo flute rises, its melodious notes blending with the gray of the rocks and the red of the sunset. Amidst the rocky plateau, the flute's sound is not loud or ostentatious; each note is a gentle melody, weaving a story of a resilient and simple culture, just like the people of this land.

According to Dien Bien Phu Newspaper

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tieng-khen-tren-nui-da-a476481.html