The Xa Pho people in Lao Cai live scattered in Chau Que, Van Ban, Bao Ha, Hop Thanh... possessing a unique cultural treasure crystallized through folk songs, folk dances and especially the sound of the ghost child trumpet. From the rhythm of daily work to the bustling spring festival, the sound of the ghost child trumpet not only connects the community but also becomes a unique cultural symbol, fully reflecting the soul and identity of the Xa Pho people.
Sound connects communities
In the spiritual life of the Xa Pho people, the ghost trumpet has a special place. The ghost trumpet is considered the soul of the festival, especially during the Lunar New Year. The deep, passionate sound of the trumpet becomes the signal to open the festival season which lasts from the 4th to the 15th of the first lunar month. When the trumpet sounds, people gather together, slaughter pigs, drink wine, gather around the fire and join in the traditional xoè dance.
Meritorious artist Dang Thi Thanh, from Chau Que commune, shared: The trumpet sound is to pray for a bountiful harvest in the new year, with firm corn and rice grains. It is also a wish for good health for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family.
Therefore, the ghost trumpet is the thread connecting the past and the present, humans with heaven and earth, and is a simple yet profound blessing of the Xa Pho people.
Handmade masterpieces from nature
What makes the small ghost flute unique is its simple yet sophisticated structure. Under the skillful hands of the Xa Pho people, this instrument becomes a handmade work imbued with the breath of the mountains and forests.
According to Mr. Ly Van Tu, in Van Ban commune, the small ghost trumpet consists of a gourd, a body and a reed. The gourd is made from bitter gourds dried in the kitchen loft. The reed is made from the leaf sheaths of the Dao tree, which must be dried for six months to a year to achieve the right flexibility and tone.
The trumpet body is made from 5 selected bamboo tubes, harvested in September and October. After selection, the bamboo tubes are naturally dried in the kitchen loft for 9 months to 1 year to prevent termites.
The 5 bamboo tubes are not a random number but represent the 5 members of a family: the longest tube represents the father, followed by the mother, older brother, older sister and younger sibling. When the trumpet sounds, it is not only the melody, but also the voice of the whole family gathered together and reunited.
To attach the parts of the trumpet, the Xa Pho people will do it on a sunny day, using beeswax. The secret to softening this beeswax which has the opposite properties (it will become harder when heated) is the “sweat” of the trumpet maker. They take the sweat from their nose and rub it on the beeswax, the moisture and heat from their body will soften the wax and then use the wax to attach the trumpet body and the bamboo tubes. Therefore, not only made from natural materials, the ghost trumpet also bears the personal mark of its creator.
Once completed, the craftsman will carefully inspect and blow the instrument to evaluate the sound quality. If satisfactory, the instrument will be polished and decorated with additional accessories.
Inspire passion to preserve identity
Nowadays, the ghost trumpet not only appears during holidays, New Year or traditional rituals but also becomes a highlight in many local cultural activities: art performances, great solidarity festivals, ethnic cultural festivals... This is also the way Xa Pho people introduce ethnic culture to tourists and the community, contributing to promoting traditional values, creating new vitality for musical instruments.
Meritorious artist Dang Thi Thanh confided: Bringing along the ghost trumpet and the cuc ke flute to introduce to tourists is our way of promoting Xa Pho culture, so that the trumpet and flute sounds of our ancestors can be preserved and promoted.
In many communes, folk art clubs have been established, attracting a large number of adults and young people to participate. This is an important force in learning, performing and teaching traditional musical instruments.
Previously, Mr. Ly Van Tu - an active member of the Xa Pho ethnic folk culture club, only played the trumpet during the village's festivals and New Year's. But since joining the folk art club, the trumpet has been played more often during the commune's exchanges and activities.
Mr. Ly Van Tu, in Van Ban commune, said: Every time I participate, I feel very happy because I can perform with the people, and have the opportunity to introduce the trumpet sound of my ethnic group to more people; contributing to preserving traditional culture, passing it on to the younger generation so that it does not disappear.
Efforts to preserve unique cultural values
In recent years, local authorities and all levels of government have implemented many practical activities to preserve and promote the cultural values of Xa Pho. Club models and teaching classes have been effectively maintained; many cultural playgrounds have been established, helping the sound of the ghost trumpet to be more present in community life.
Dr. Duong Tuan Nghia - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai province emphasized: The ghost trumpet is a unique musical instrument of the Xa Pho people. However, the number of people who know how to make and perform it is decreasing. Therefore, we determined that we need more synchronous solutions: support the establishment of clubs, create cultural playgrounds, and bring traditional musical instruments into schools. Teaching not only helps preserve musical instruments, but also spreads handicrafts, folk songs, folk dances, etc., creating national cultural identity.
Preserving and promoting the ghost trumpet is also preserving a part of Lao Cai's precious heritage, keeping the Xa Pho ethnic identity alive and sustainable with the breath of the mountains and forests.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/vang-mai-tieng-ken-ma-nhi-post888320.html
Comment (0)