Planting Lo Lo rice

On the northernmost borderland of our country, the sound of the bronze drums of the Lo Lo people still resonates like a lifeline connecting heaven, earth, and humanity. For the Lo Lo people, the bronze drum is not only a sacred musical instrument but also the soul of their culture, a source of pride and a revered national treasure.

The sacred spirit of the nation, a national treasure.

The Lolo people are one of the 16 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. In Tuyen Quang province , the Lolo people mainly reside in the communes of Lung Cu, Dong Van, Meo Vac, Sa Phin, and Son Vi, with a total of 444 households and 1,909 inhabitants. Although they only account for about 0.1% of the province's total population, the Lolo people are a highly cohesive community, preserving almost entirely their distinctive cultural values ​​through generations. Within this treasure trove, the bronze drum is not only a sacred symbol but also the "soul" of the Lolo people.

According to cultural researchers, bronze drums are the embodiment of the harmony between yin and yang, heaven and earth, man and deity. Each pattern and line on the drum's surface is closely linked to the patterns on traditional clothing, reflecting a unity in the aesthetic concept and worldview of the nation. The patterns on the drum's surface are exquisitely carved: comb-like shapes, concentric circles with a central dot, stylized human figures interspersed with symbolic patterns. At the center is a radiating sun – symbolizing light and life; the surrounding patterns are like planets orbiting the cosmic axis.

The unique feature that defines the identity of the Lo Lo bronze drums is the arrangement of circular, figurative motifs on the drum's surface – a detail not found on Dong Son drums or any other type of drum. Each motif tells a story, a chapter of history, in the language of metal. Therefore, the bronze drum is both a musical instrument and a miniature "spiritual map," where humans and the universe intertwine in the depth of national aesthetics and beliefs. Mr. Vang Sanh Hoanh (94 years old), from Lo Lo Chai village, Lung Cu commune, said: "Lo Lo bronze drums always exist in pairs – male and female drums, the male drum being smaller than the female drum, symbolizing the harmony of yin and yang, fertility and abundance, clearly expressing fertility beliefs."

Because they possess profound artistic, religious, and philosophical values, the Lo Lo bronze drums are not only cultural treasures but also historical evidence, demonstrating the depth of identity of the Lo Lo community in the northernmost region of Vietnam. The value of the bronze drums has transcended the community's boundaries to become a shared national heritage. In 2015, a pair of Lo Lo bronze drums dating from the 5th century – currently preserved at the Tuyen Quang Provincial Museum (facility 2, Ha Giang 1 ward) – were recognized as National Treasures by the Prime Minister .

Preserving the sacred spirit

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the majestic sound of the Lo Lo bronze drums still resonates, imbued with the spirit of a thousand years of history. This sacred musical instrument is present in most important rituals such as the sky worship ceremony, rain-praying ceremony, earth god worship, and ancestor worship (recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage)... Each drum beat is like a sacred message, reminding descendants to remember their ancestors, fostering pride, unity, and a sense of preserving cultural heritage in the flow of time.

To preserve and spread traditional cultural values, since 2015, the Lo Lo Ethnic Culture Festival has been held annually in many localities. This is not only a place where the sound of Lo Lo bronze drums resonates, spreading national pride, but also a bridge to transform heritage into economic assets. In addition, various levels of government and agencies have diligently collected and restored Lo Lo cultural spaces, encouraged people to preserve and restore ancient drums, taught drumming techniques, and recounted the meaning of each pattern and ritual to the younger generation.

In Lo Lo Chai village, Lung Cu commune, dubbed the "World's Best Tourist Village," elderly artisans continue to diligently teach drumming to the younger generation, maintaining the connection between tradition and modernity. Vang Di Dai, a young man born in the 1990s, is an outstanding student of these elderly artisans and has now become their successor, contributing to the revival of the traditional bronze drum ritual. He shared: "Drumming isn't just for performance, but to remind us that we are Lo Lo people, and to hear the call of our ancestors in every beat." Meanwhile, Vuong Duc Thang, deeply proud of this sacred treasure, has built Danh House homestay. Remarkably, "Danh" in the Lo Lo language means bronze drum – a simple name that encapsulates the cultural essence of the ethnic group. Even more impressive, Danh House features five pairs of bungalows, symbolizing five ancient Lo Lo clans in the far north – each designed to accurately resemble a male and female drum. Every line and detail is meticulously carved, preserving the traditional patterns.

Since its opening in April 2024, Danh House has welcomed over 10,000 tourists, generating nearly 4 billion VND in revenue and providing stable employment for 5 young Lo Lo ethnic minority workers. This model serves as a vivid example of the new direction for Tuyen Quang tourism – sustainable development based on the foundation of ethnic cultural identity. Ms. Bui Thuy Mao, a tourist from Phu Tho province, shared: “Not only is it a stopover on the journey to explore the far north, Danh House is a ‘living cultural house’ where tourists can fully experience Lo Lo culture – where culture is not confined to museums but lives alongside daily life.”

In contemporary life, from the sacred drums echoing during rituals to the bronze drums present in tourist spaces, the Lo Lo culture is experiencing a strong resurgence based on its unique identity. Each drum beat represents a rhythm of life, igniting national pride and opening up a path for sustainable development for the Lo Lo community in the northernmost region of the country.

Thu Phuong

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/tin-tuc/202602/trong-dong-lo-lo-7920e5e/