(VOVworld) – “Then” is a ritual singing and dancing genre of the Tay. Female and male Then singers perform Then in front of the altars at sacred places. The Tay in Binh Lieu, Quang Ninh province, sing Then when young boys and girls court each other, when house owners welcome guests, and when people make wishes at wedding ceremonies.
 |
Then performance at Luc Na Temple festival, in Luc Hon commune, Binh Lieu district
(Binh Lieu newspaper)
|
Nong Thi Sin can sing “Then” as sweetly as when she was young at a call-and-response singing night. Sin said Tay boys and girls are allowed to choose their partners, date, and get married. They sing “Then” to learn about each other when they have a date. “When we meet someone at a community event, on the road, or at the market we can sing “Then” to get acquainted. We can sing for a long or short period.”
“Then” lyrics are metaphorical verses comprising delicacy, comparison, implication, and satire. Ngo Tien Sinh, a member of Binh Lieu’s communications team, said: “Then” is the poetry of the Tay. “Then’ verses have many layers of meaning. “Then” uses comparison, which inspires the singers. There are no rules in “Then” singing. The responder can answer the question directly or use metaphor.”
 |
| Old Tay women performed Then singing and Tinh musical instrument at a community event |
Tay people sing call-and-reponse “Then” when they welcome guests, congratulate someone on a new house, and at other happy events. They divide into groups to sing “Then” instead of talking. Sing again: “The caller and the responder can be 2 men, 2 women, or a man and a woman. Usually they sing 4 pairs of questions and answers. If the answerer cannot answer, he or she loses and has to drink wine as a fine. Older people sing “Then” to wish others good luck at happy events.”
“Then” singing is indispensable at weddings. To Dinh Hieu of Binh Lieu said: “At happy events such as weddings, the groom’s and the bride’s families from two “Then” groups. The groom’s Then group sings to ask the bride’s family to open the gate to let them in, prepare a mat for them to sit on, and give the bride her dowry to bring with her to her husband’s family. They sing “Then” at all wedding phases.”
“Then” is sung to congratulate the groom, the bride, and their families and thank the parents for bringing them up.
The Tay have preserved and promoted their culture and their tradition of “Then” singing by inventing creative and impromptu “Then” verses as part of their daily routine.