Fostering love for Khmer culture.

In recent days, teachers and students of the Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School (O Mon Ward) have been bustling with activities to celebrate the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year of the Khmer people. Under the roof of this school, the preservation and promotion of ethnic cultural identity is carried out creatively and practically.

Students from the Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School perform traditional Vietnamese five-tone music.

The campus of the Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School has a large room dedicated to showcasing Southern Khmer culture, like a miniature museum. Visitors are impressed by the many paintings, photographs, and artifacts characteristic of the Khmer people. For example, numerous panels introduce festivals and typical cultural activities such as housing, traditional crafts, cuisine , and arts. Traditional customs, greetings, and worship practices are also vividly presented. Visitors can also see firsthand the traditional costumes of the Khmer people, models of Khmer temples, models of Ngo boats, palm leaf scriptures, and traditional farming tools.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Dinh, Principal of Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, said: "On the eve of the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, the school has just completed the 'Khmer Cultural Space,' a place for students to participate in cultural, artistic, and sports activities with a strong cultural identity, including traditional five-tone music and dances... This space has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness in preserving and promoting Khmer cultural identity among students. Student Dao Nguyen My Ky shared: 'This year's Chol Chnam Thmay New Year is very fun. The school organized many activities for us to enjoy, and there's even a Khmer Cultural Space in the multi-purpose hall.'"

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Dinh, the Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School currently has 19 classes, from grades 6 to 12, of which 518 out of 519 students are Khmer ethnic (the remaining students are Thai ethnic). Besides academic studies, the school places great emphasis on improving cultural life, preserving and promoting cultural heritage within the school. Performances of traditional costumes and arts are regularly organized. Many students at the school can skillfully play the five-tone orchestra and perform various dance forms… Many students even make their own masks and accessories used in traditional Khmer art forms.

Last weekend, students from Tran Hung Dao Secondary School (Ninh Kieu Ward) and students from the Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School had an exchange and experience of the beauty of the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year. Beautiful cultural aspects such as greeting customs and traditional dances like Rom Vong, Rom Saravan, Chhay-dam, and Chan were thoroughly introduced and demonstrated by the students. Le Thi Bich Tram, a student, introduced the traditional Khmer tube cake, sharing: "My grandmother makes this cake for the holidays. I brought it to introduce the beauty of Khmer cuisine to my friends."

Ms. Nguyen Le Thu Thuan, Principal of Tran Hung Dao Secondary School, said: "This activity helps students gain a deeper understanding of the cultural diversity of Vietnam's ethnic groups; understand and appreciate typical customs and festivals, thereby raising awareness of preserving and promoting national cultural identity." Ms. Thuan was particularly impressed with the dances and costumes performed by the students themselves. This is a vivid demonstration of the effectiveness of preserving and promoting Khmer cultural values ​​in schools.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Dinh, Principal of the Can Tho City Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, added that in the near future, with the support of a new five-tone orchestra, the school will organize performance training for students and establish a Khmer traditional arts club. From there, they will spread love for traditional culture and create an environment for students to learn and practice their heritage.

Text and photos: DUY KHÔI

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/vun-boi-tinh-yeu-van-hoa-khmer-a202145.html