(VOVworld) – Over the past 2 years, a Danish fund to support ethnic culture in Vietnam has contributed significantly to revitalizing and developing traditional art performances of Kho Mu ethnic people in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien. Thanks to the fund, an art troupe has been established to preserve the unique cultural identities of Kho Mu etnnic. VOV’s Lan Anh reports…
Music and dance performances of Kho Mu ethnic people from Ten hamlet are organized twice a month and have always attracted many local people to participate. This is an ideal venue for them to practice gongs, pan pipes and pi, a traditional musical instrument of Kho Mu people.
People from Ten hamlet no longer have to wait until their New Year or big festivals to enjoy their traditional singing and dancing performances. Quàng Văn Mướn, the hamlet’s party secretary, says that since 2000 he and other prestigious people have spared no effort encouraging the local people to form a traditional art troupe. Muon says: "At first, there were around 20 people taking part in the troupe. All the members are volunteers who are very enthusiastic to practice Kho Mu traditional art forms and teach other people to follow."
Mướn says that during the troupe’s very first days, he and the hamlet’s elder people came to every single house to encourage people to take part in the art troupe. People who know traditional songs and dances as well as how to make traditional musical instruments can teach other people. Luong Thi Vinh, who knows how to play pan pipe, is in charge of teaching young Kho Mu ethnic people the techniques. Vinh says it is not easy to play pan pipes which requires the players’ love and passion for the instrument: "I can play up to 5 types of traditional musical instruments like flutes, “dao dao”, pan pipe, and the local monochord as I was taught by my grandparents when I was small. I join this troupe in the hope that I can help the local young people to master the art to preserve it for the future."

Kho Mu ancient dance "Ong Eo". Photo: internet

35-year-old Luong Thi Nun is very good at traditional dances. She hopes that other young Kho Mu people are passionate about their traditional dances like she does. Nun says: "I believe that this is a very good way for the young generation to preverve our traditional cultural identities. I joined this art troupe since its hayday with the hope that I can do something to encourage other people to acknowledge the importance of protecting our ethnic culture."
Another member of the group, Lường Thị Phượng can sing almost all ancient songs of Kho Mu ethnic minority. Phuong says without the troupe, no one knows about the future of their traditional art forms like duet singing, pi and pan pipe playing. Phuong told VOV: "I was taught to sing these ancient songs by my parents. I can sing many old songs like those to celebrate house-warming parties, duet songs, and songs to celebrate the New Year Festival to wish people health and luck. These songs’ lyrics are very meaningful and I hope that more and more young people will learn to sing them."

Over the past 2 years, the 20 member art troupe of Ten hamlet has helped revitalize many traiditional songs and dances which have almost fallen into obvilion. 

                                                                                                                                         Lan Anh