Teaching drum singing in Thuc Khang (Binh Giang) to students

On the morning of December 18th, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Duong province, in coordination with the People's Committee of Binh Giang district, held a ceremony to summarize the program for preserving and promoting the intangible cultural heritage of the "Trong Quan" folk singing art of Thuc Khang commune.

According to folklore, the drum-singing tradition in Tao Khe, Ngoc Cuc, and Chau Khe communes of Thuc Khang developed in the late 17th and early 18th centuries thanks to Mrs. Nguyen Thi My, also known as Thien Tu Ton Linh, or Lady Tao. She was famous for her beautiful singing and was taken to the palace as a concubine by Lord Trinh. She taught the palace women to sing drum-singing. She is considered the founder of drum-singing in present-day Thuc Khang commune.

Currently, Thuc Khang commune has two drum-singing clubs in Ngoc Cuc and Tao Khe villages with 58 members. The oldest member is 86 years old, the youngest is 10 years old, and most members are in their 50s and 60s. They regularly participate in cultural and artistic activities in the village and commune.

A performance of traditional Vietnamese folk singing by the Ngoc Cuc village club.

During the three-month period from September to November 2024, the Ngoc Cuc and Tao Khe Military Drum Clubs organized training classes for interested individuals and students of Thuc Khang Secondary School.

The Cultural Heritage Management Department (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) collaborated with the Culture and Information Department of Binh Giang district and Thuc Khang commune to collect folk knowledge preserved by local artisans; and to photograph and film the collected materials, as well as training and teaching activities related to the art of Trong Quan singing.

A performance of the traditional Vietnamese drum song by students of Thuc Khang Commune Secondary School.

In 2016, the art of drum-singing in Thuc Khang commune was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism .

In the coming time, the local authorities will pay more attention to both material and spiritual support so that the two drum-singing clubs in the commune have the necessary conditions and equipment to maintain regular activities, organize performances, stage productions, and create new compositions. They will promote, train, and encourage the younger generation, those who are passionate about and have talent in drum-singing art, to participate in the activities. They will also continue to maintain the teaching of drum-singing art in local primary and secondary schools.

PHUNG BAN

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/truyen-day-hat-trong-quan-o-thuc-khang-binh-giang-cho-hoc-sinh-400911.html