The melodies of the Then folk songs resound in Má Bắp.

BAC NINH - For the Nung ethnic people of Ma Bap village, Lang Giang commune (Bac Ninh province), Then singing is an indispensable part of their cultural and spiritual life. To preserve and promote this valuable heritage, the people regularly practice and pass it on to the younger generation.

Turning off National Highway 1 onto the paved road leading to Má Bắp, you immediately encounter the newly built village gate. On either side are lush green rice fields and spacious houses, reflecting the prosperous and comfortable life of this place. The village cultural center, a traditional stilt house of the Nùng ethnic group, sits in a spacious area spanning hundreds of square meters. Members of the Má Bắp Village Traditional Music and Singing Club gradually arrive, those arriving later smilingly explaining: "We're trying to finish harvesting the beans and tending to the chickens so we can focus on singing."

The Then singing and Tinh lute playing club in Má Bắp village practices regularly.

According to Mr. Luong Van Nguyen, Vice Chairman of the Club, previously, some people knew how to sing Then, but their activities were small-scale and lacked organization. In 2023, Huong Lac commune (now Lang Giang commune) decided to establish the Club, bringing together more than 30 people who love and know how to play the zither and sing Then. The oldest member is over 70, and the youngest is over 30. When it was first established, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the commune and villages provided timely support in terms of performance costumes and zithers, so the Club had better conditions to operate and attract many people to enjoy the performances. The Then melodies and the sound of the zither are increasingly spreading in the community, promoting the local cultural and artistic movement.

The Ma Bap Village Traditional Music and Singing Club brings together over 30 people who love and know how to play the zither and sing traditional songs. The oldest member is over 70, and the youngest is over 30. The club was established to meet the cultural and spiritual needs of the villagers, and through it, to promote and introduce the image of Ma Bap's homeland and its honest, friendly, and warm-hearted people to friends everywhere.

According to the Nung people in Lang Giang commune, then is a unique form of folk art that reflects the thoughts and feelings of the people. In their language, then means "heaven" and is considered a song of the gods and spirits, passed down from their ancestors. Ms. Pham Thi Y, one of the active members and elected as the head of the club, said: “The content of then songs usually prays for peace for all things, good health for people, bountiful harvests, and always encourages people to do good and avoid evil. The main musical instrument used in then singing is the zither, a type of zither made from a gourd, with two strings and a wooden neck. The club was established to meet the cultural and spiritual needs of the people, with regular activities, helping then melodies spread far and wide, contributing to the teaching of folk art to the younger generation.”

Every week, the club practices and meets at the village cultural center, regularly performing traditional Then songs such as "Then Songs Dedicated to the Party," "Returning to Bac Ninh, My Homeland," and "The Song of the Zither," based on ancient Then melodies. Besides performing for the local people, the club also represents the village and commune at many festivals and exchanges with neighboring communes and provinces. The club contributes to promoting and introducing the image of the honest, friendly, and warm-hearted people of Ma Bap to friends everywhere.

A performance by the Then singing and zither playing club of Má Bắp village.

Mr. Long Duc Trong, the village head and founder of the club, has made significant contributions to preserving and teaching the zither and Then singing to its members and the local people. From a young age, he and the elders listened to and immersed themselves in the simple and familiar melodies of Then singing and the zither. The dream of singing Then and playing the zither, continuing the legacy of his ancestors, and preserving the beautiful sounds of the Nung ethnic group, was kindled in him from childhood. Therefore, when he had the means, he and other passionate individuals established the club. To nurture its members, he and the management board invited Then singers from other provinces to teach and provide training. As a result, many members have become key figures in the club, such as Mr. Hoang Duc Bich, Mr. Luong Van Lam, Ms. Vi Thi Duyen, and Ms. Hoang Thi Le…

A commendable aspect of Má Bắp is that its Then singing and Dan Tinh playing club regularly learns and hones basic skills, collecting ancient Then melodies to share with its members. Furthermore, the club focuses on passing on Then melodies to the next generation. On weekends, members teach Then singing and Dan Tinh playing to Nùng ethnic minority students. Many students have become confident performers, such as Long Gia Bảo, Long Trung Kiên, Hoàng Đức Phúc, and Vi Hoàng Hải… To further support their activities, members save on expenses to invest in costumes and musical instruments for practice. Social outreach is also promoted, so the club consistently maintains a budget of over 10 million VND, equipping itself with speakers, microphones, and other equipment for performances.

It is known that Ma Bap village has more than 250 households with over 1,000 inhabitants, engaged in farming, construction, carpentry, etc. Due to their diligence and frugality, most households enjoy a comfortable life, and by the end of 2025, only 2 poor households will remain in the village. The cultural and spiritual life is rich, with 98.8% of households achieving the title of "Cultural Family". This result is partly due to the local authorities maintaining and promoting the beautiful cultural traditions of the ethnic minority people, including the Then singing and Dan Tinh playing club.

Text and photos: Quoc Phuong

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/vang-dieu-then-o-ma-bap-postid436266.bbg