From the song "Nang oi" to the promise scarf of the Tay and Nung people

Hat Nang oi is a form of love singing between men and women, often held on festivals, weddings, birthdays, longevity celebrations, or simply in highland markets.

From dusk till dawn, the two sides sang songs filled with love, sometimes lasting into the second or third night. These sessions not only helped young men and women get to know each other, but also sowed the seeds for lasting love.

The melody of Nang oi is performed in a parallel singing style, with the opening line “Nang a oi…” or “Lang a oi…” and the ending humming “Nang a ne…”, creating a smooth, deep sound. The structure of the lyrics is two sentences of seven words, with tight rhymes, rich in poetry and profound metaphors. The content of the song ranges from greetings, getting acquainted, praising the homeland and people, to expressing feelings and tearful farewells.

Along with the lyrics is the custom of exchanging scarves, a unique cultural feature. When the relationship becomes deeper, the boys will give cakes and scarves, while the girls often sew cloth shoes and hand-embroidered bags with the date of their meeting as a souvenir of love for their lovers. The scarf is not only a gift, but also a secret promise, conveying the pure feelings of the couple.

Nowadays, in the flow of modern culture, the melodies of the Nang oi song and the custom of exchanging scarves are gradually fading away. The collection, preservation and teaching of this unique folk song form need to be given more importance. This is not only to preserve the cultural identity of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, but also to nurture the human soul through good, humane traditional values.