(VOVWORLD) - “The Space of Gong Culture” of the Central Highlands of Vietnam was recognized as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005. Since then, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has made efforts to preserve the gong culture.
 Artisans perform with new gong sets. (Photo: VOV) |
Currently, Dak Lak has nearly 2,100 gong sets, and thousands of artists who can play the gong and other traditional instruments. The province has organized more than 130 classes to teach young people how to play the gong and help revive hundreds of rituals and festivals relating to the instrument.
“Our village is happy as the local authorities presented us with a gong set to preserve and promote this cultural heritage. The gong is our precious treasure and is usually used for village events such as festivals and worshipping rituals,” said Y Klech Kdoh, a member of the gong group in Kbu hamlet in Buon Ma Thuot city.
According to hamlet chief Y Huech Kdoh, Kbu hamlet now has 420 households, most of whom belong to the Ede ethnic group, but only one family has a full set of gongs, drums, and Kpan, a long wooden bench on which gong and drum performers sit.
Kbu hamlet has set up a folk culture club and a club for female gong artisans. Since its establishment, the gong club has taken part in many cultural and music events and contests in the locality.
“It is essential to preserve gong culture, folk melodies, and traditional dances for young generation. We also need to educate young people about our traditions,” said Y Huech Kdoh.
Over the last years, 3 gong groups of different ages have been set up in Kbu hamlet by Hoa Khanh district and Buon Ma Thuot city.
“We plan to invite the gong groups to perform on special occasions to further promote cultural values of Ede ethnic minority people,” said Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thanh, Vice Chairman of Hoa Khanh district.
 Artisans in Kbu hamlet are presented with new gong sets. (Photo: VOV) |
Since 2016, Dak Lak province has presented 36 gong sets and hundreds of traditional costumes to gong and art groups in local hamlets and schools. Gong culture is preserved and promoted by restoring traditional festivals related to gong, and researching, collecting and teaching ancient gong performances at ethnic schools in the community of Ede and Mnong ethnic people.
“Dak Lak province’s program until 2025 to preserve gong culture includes restoring traditional festivals, teaching young people to perform gong, providing gong sets and costumes for artisans and art troupes, and organizing gong performance competitions,” said Nguyen Thuy Phuong Hieu, deputy head of Dak Lak province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Over the next 5 years, Dak Lak plans to provide another 50 gong sets to facilitate villages’ preservation of gong culture.