Tra Khuc, the river flowing in legend

C LOVE STORY BY THE LEGENDARY RIVER

Quang Ngai has 4 big rivers, 3 of which are named "Tra": Tra Bong, Tra Khuc, Tra Cau and Ve River. Among them, Tra Khuc is considered the mother river, the river that makes those who go far away always remember, and those who stay always wait for. However, few people know that the river as soft as a green silk strip stretching from the great forest to the sea is associated with a sad, tragic but loyal love story like the hearts of the people of Quang.

Tra Khuc River flows through Quang Ngai City

PHOTO: PHAM ANH

According to the book Quang Ngai - Myths and Legends , volume 2 (Quang Ngai Publishing House, 1994), once upon a time there was a gentle, beautiful girl who loved a poor boy. But because of perverse customs, they could not be together. On a stormy night, the couple made an appointment to meet at the riverbank, hugged each other, cried and vowed to reunite in the next life. Then they both threw themselves into the silver water.

A group of fairies who had once been fascinated by the beauty of the mortal world flew down to save the girl and took her to heaven. The boy was saved by the Dragon King of the East Sea and taken to the water palace to be adopted. Years passed, and the Jade Emperor allowed the girl to return to the mortal world with the fairies to enjoy. Her heart was still heavy with love for the unfinished love, and she brought with her a deep blue silk ribbon to give to her ex.

But the young man was not there. When the time was almost up, the fairies quickly flew back to heaven. The girl left the green scarf in the stream where they had drowned, hoping that when the young man found out, he would grab it and let her take him back to heaven.

In the underwater palace, when he heard the news, he risked his life to steal the Water King's magic and offer water to the top of Truong Son to bring the scarf back. But the sky was angry, the wind and rain rolled, the green silk was washed away and turned into a stream of water. When the clouds cleared and the sky cleared, the old scarf had turned into a gentle river flowing from the mountains to the sea. That was the Tra Khuc River, the river carrying a story of faithful love, making the people of Quang remember and love it wherever they go.

RIVER OF POETRY

Tra Khuc is the largest river in Quang Ngai province, about 135 km long. The river originates from Dak To Ron peak at 2,350 m high, in Kon Tum . About one-third of the river's length winds through mountains, hills, and old forests from 200 - 1,000 m high, then flows into the plains. On its way downstream, Tra Khuc receives water from many tributaries such as Re, Xa Lo, Rin and Toong, before flowing into the sea at Dai estuary, An Phu commune, Quang Ngai city.

The Seal of Heaven

PHOTO: LE HONG KHANH

Many studies suggest that the word "Tra" is one of the four major families of the ancient Cham people: On, Ma, Tra, Che. And "Khuc" represents the characteristics of a winding river, branching out, and having rapids before reaching the sea.

Tra Khuc River is not only majestic but also generous, giving many typical products such as goby fish, Thai Bai fish, Don, mussels, eels, lich... In the rainy season, the river flows rapidly, sweeping everything away, but also bringing alluvium to enrich the fields and gardens on both banks. In the dry season, the river is clear and blue, especially "in December, the water of Tra River is very green" , like the lyrics of the song "Quang Ngai ta ve" by musician Tu Tan Luc. At that time, in the middle of the river, the alluvial fields compete to bloom purple and white reeds with hundreds of wild flowers, Tra River is like a graceful spring girl in the vast sky and earth.

Tra Khuc River is also associated with many famous landscapes: Thien An Niem Ha, Long Dau Hy Thuy, Co Luy Co Thon, Ha Nhai Van Do, accounting for 4/12 beautiful landscapes of ancient Quang Ngai. From ancient times to the present, Tra Khuc has always been a source of inspiration for poetry, music and painting. There are few rivers in the Central region that carry as many legends and enter literature as Tra Khuc. Photographers also affirm: Tra Khuc River is beautiful from every angle, has a soul at every moment, even in flood season, Tra Khuc still has its own beauty.

Perhaps that is why those who go far away always long for the day to return: "Return to Tra River, return to my homeland..." ( Return to Tra River , musician Vinh An). The river lives not only in literature and art, but also in folk consciousness: "Tra River is close to Long Dau Mountain/That water flows forever, the dragons of the past" . Or: "When I go, I miss my homeland/I miss the Tra River goby fish braised with pepper"...

RIVER OF LIFE

Tra Khuc River is also a river of livelihood. Since ancient times, hundreds of water wheels have been built on both banks of the river to irrigate sugarcane and rice fields. Today, Thach Nham irrigation project has been built to bring river water to irrigate tens of thousands of hectares of dry agricultural land, helping Quang Ngai stabilize its livelihood for decades.

Dawn on Tra Khuc River

PHOTO: TAN PHAT

However, due to the Thach Nham dam blocking the flow, the downstream of Tra Khuc is no longer full of water all year round, causing the river to lose its original fertile appearance. To overcome this, Quang Ngai province is implementing the construction of a dam to flood the downstream of Tra Khuc river at a cost of thousands of billions of VND. Mr. Dang Ngoc Huy, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Quang Ngai Provincial Party Committee, said that the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. At that time, Tra Khuc will be full of water again, the river will be green again and will once again become an endless source of inspiration for poetry and the people of the homeland.

Cultural researcher Le Hong Khanh was born and raised by the Tra Khuc River. The cool source of the mother river has nurtured him throughout his life of study and research. He expressed his feelings through a few simple yet profound verses: "A hundred rivers from all regions/The Tra River still has its own color in the heart/Oh… a clear river wharf/Lulling the child to sleep, lulling the father's heart to sleep". (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tra-khuc-dong-song-chay-trong-huyen-thoai-185250520224230433.htm