The sound of gongs in the mountains and forests resounds far and wide.

*The Co Tu community in Song Kon commune joins in the rhythm of drums and gongs, joyfully dancing the traditional Tang Tung - Da Da dance during the local cultural festival. Photo: ALANG NGUOC*

Preserving community values

Following the merger, Song Kon became the first mountainous commune in the city to organize a traditional Co Tu cultural festival. The festival brought together thousands of artisans, village elders, and amateur performers from across the commune to showcase their talents in drum and gong performances combined with the tang tung - da da dance, traditional storytelling and singing...

Bhling Bloó, an artisan from Bhơ Hôồng village, shared that the most striking impression of the festival, besides the reenactments of the highland community's daily life through performing arts, was the cultural stories "told" by the Cơ Tu artisans through solo and ensemble performances of drums and gongs.

According to Mr. Bhling Bloó, the locality has a great advantage having maintained the large-scale traditional Co Tu festival for many years. This is a necessary condition for the drum and gong ensembles to continue expanding their activities, meeting the needs of both preserving cultural identity and creating unique tourism products.

*Co Tu artisans from Song Kon commune perform drum and gong ensemble at a traditional village festival. Photo: ALANG NGUOC*

“In Bhơ Hôồng village, we have maintained the community drum and gong ensemble for many years. Its main tasks are to serve the community's ceremonial activities and meet the experiential needs of tourists, while also creating a space for teaching the younger generation and helping to preserve traditional culture,” said Mr. Bhling Bloó.

According to Mr. Do Huu Tung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Kon commune, the Co Tu people have a diverse and rich traditional culture and religious life, clearly reflected in their drum and gong performances, tang tung - da da dance, brocade weaving, and storytelling and singing.

"In these forms, the human element plays a leading and unifying role, especially folk artisans with extensive experience and significant influence in the journey of preserving the identity of the local community," Mr. Tung said.

*The Ca Dong people in Tra Van commune preserve the culture of drumming and gong playing within their community. Photo: ALANG NGUOC*

Specific policies are needed.

Tay Giang and Nam Tra My (formerly) were once considered localities that made significant efforts in gathering, establishing, and maintaining drum and gong ensembles among ethnic minority communities in mountainous areas. Many classes teaching drumming, gong playing skills, and traditional dances were organized in the villages of the Co Tu, Ca Dong, and Xe Dang people at the foot of the Eastern Truong Son Mountains. Emerging from these community classes, thousands of artisans and performers confidently presented their skills to the public during village festivals and important local events.

According to Mr. Pơloong Plênh, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Tây Giang commune, in 2024, from the allocated budget, the former Tây Giang district implemented activities to support the provision of musical instruments including drums, gongs, and cymbals, and organized training classes for villages and four schools in the commune. Many Co Tu cultural artisans participated in the training classes to help young people easily acquire knowledge and skills related to their cultural roots, creating a foundation for maintaining drum and gong ensembles in 23 villages in the commune.

“Following this training course, right at the beginning of the administrative unit merger in July 2025, Tay Giang commune will boldly organize a festival showcasing drum and gong performances, cymbals, tang tung - da da dances, and folk songs, combined with sports and cultural activities to celebrate the successful conclusion of the first Party Congress of the commune, term 2025-2030. Besides maintaining cultural and sports activities at the village and residential area levels, we will promote the pioneering role of drum and gong teams in participating in performances to serve the community and tourists at important local festivals and events,” Mr. Plênh added.

The efforts of the local government and mountainous communities in maintaining drum and gong ensembles at the grassroots level are commendable. However, many obstacles need to be overcome by the city government, especially regarding policy mechanisms for this unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage that is being preserved in mountainous communities.

Artisan Ho Van Dinh (of the Ca Dong ethnic group, in Tra Doc commune) said that in addition to providing financial support for organizing community festival activities, the city government needs a policy to train artisans – those capable of crafting and performing traditional musical instruments and mountain performing arts. Furthermore, more resources should be allocated to support drum and gong ensembles, folk singing groups, weaving groups, and brocade weaving groups within the community, and more cultural education classes should be opened for young people to help preserve and pass on traditional identity.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/vang-xa-nhip-chieng-nui-rung-3309839.html