Nhu Le's folk song lives forever with time

Along with the process of building and developing their homeland, the people of Hai Le commune, Quang Tri town always unite to preserve and promote the unique traditional cultural values ​​of the locality. In particular, with its own unique beauty, Ho Nhu Le is always preserved by the people here.

Precious cultural heritage

Ho Nhu Le is simple and close, helping singers and listeners express and share emotions in labor production, joy, sadness, love... Especially, during the two long resistance wars of the nation, along with contributing human and material resources to the revolution, Hai Le people used Ho Nhu Le as a sharp spiritual weapon to transform and awaken the children of the homeland who were forced to follow the enemy to return to the People.

A folk song performance at the launching ceremony of the Nhu Le Folk Song Club - Photo: KS

At that time, the women in Nhu Le village with strong, clear voices were chosen to perform. They were Ngo Thi Gai, Ngo Thi Khuyen and Pham Thi Kinh. In the evenings, they and the propaganda cadres took shelter near the enemy posts in La Vang and Dai Hai Lam bridge, turned the loudspeakers to the other side and sang songs they composed themselves. “Hey brother! Why do you listen to the lies of the French invaders/Why do you listen to the slander of the deceitful people/Uncle Ho is more generous than anyone/You, the governor of our province, just captured 1,143 puppet soldiers on the battlefields/Now you have been granted clemency to return to your village with your wife and children/You followed the West and became naive and foolish/You followed the West and betrayed the resistance, betrayed your compatriots.../Hey brother! Come here, the whole people are waiting for you/Come here, you can share the victory/Come here, our government will be lenient/Otherwise your old mother and children will be waiting day and night”.

With meaningful songs and melodies that touched people's hearts, they awakened many soldiers, bringing them back to the revolution. Therefore, the Nhu Le song is also known by other names such as: Ho dich van, ho binh van, ho nguoi van, ho lo cot.

In 1975, after the country was unified, together we joined hands to rebuild the country, the Ho Nhu Le melody resounded in labor, production, community exchange and has been passed down to this day. Ho Nhu Le was recorded and printed in many books, newspapers and magazines by many researchers, journalists and people who love to learn about traditional culture. In 2012, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province compiled the book "Ho Nhu Le" and it was published and distributed by the Information and Communication Publishing House.

Keepers of traditional culture

When mentioning the unique folk song of Nhu Le, the people here still feel proud because of the longevity of the special lyrics over the years. However, the number of artists who know and understand Nhu Le folk songs is getting smaller and smaller. In Hai Le commune, there are 3 artists who were awarded the title of "Meritorious Artist" by the President, of which 1 artist passed away in 2022, currently there are 2 artists: Ms. Ngo Thi Thoi (born in 1941) and Ms. Ngo Thi Hue (born in 1942).

Mrs. Ngo Thi Hue shares her joy of being awarded the title "Meritorious Artisan" by the President - Photo: KS

With a deep love for their homeland and a talent for singing, reciting poems and singing songs since they were young, Mrs. Thoi and Mrs. Hue actively participated in the local art troupe when they were just over 10 years old. With good memory, rich imagination, practicality, and a special voice, during their participation in local art troupes, they both learned from the previous generation and practiced composing the lyrics of the songs.

Thanks to that, they were soon able to compose many meaningful songs, bringing the spirit of enthusiasm for work and production; enemy agitation; encouraging the soldiers' spirit to go to battle, strong fighting spirit, belief in victory... Along with artistic activities, they also actively participated in communication, providing information and food for soldiers at bases near the village.

Two Meritorious Artists Ngo Thi Thoi and Ngo Thi Hue (from right to left) actively foster the love of the young generation for the Nhu Le folk song - Photo: KS

After the country's reunification, they continued to compose folk songs, enthusiastically participated in cultural activities, and made an important contribution to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values ​​of Nhu Le folk songs.

Meritorious artist Ngo Thi Hue shared: “Up to now, I still keep the habit of writing down in my notebook the songs I remember from more than 50 years ago, and at the same time compose and record many songs praising the Party, the State, party members, cadres, and our army and people for their solidarity and efforts in building and developing the country in the renovation process. In particular, there are many songs about changes in my hometown Hai Le, especially about the movement of joining hands to build new rural areas. I always keep in mind that as long as I am alive, I will continue to compose and sing songs, creating motivation for the next generation to continue.”

Meritorious artists Ngo Thi Hue and Ngo Thi Thoi always enthusiastically provide valuable documents about Nhu Le folk songs that they have; participate in exchanges and performances at cultural programs on major holidays of their homeland and country. Coordinate to teach singing and compose lyrics of Nhu Le folk songs to women and the younger generation in the commune; make documents to serve the preservation of intangible culture of Quang Tri province.

“I am very honored and proud to be awarded the title of Meritorious Artist by the Party and the State. Our generation is now nearing the end of its life, and how to preserve and promote the value of Nhu Le's folk songs is always in our hearts. I hope that authorities at all levels will pay attention to organizing many classes to teach folk songs to the young generation and those who are passionate about this folk song, thereby joining hands to preserve and promote the precious heritage of our homeland,” said artisan Ngo Thi Thoi.

The folk song is still beautiful in the new era.

In 2023, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Binh, a cultural officer of Hai Le commune, built a project: "Preserving, maintaining and promoting the intangible cultural values ​​of "Ho Nhu Le" associated with the development of local tourism and eco-tourism, contributing to ensuring the criteria for building advanced new rural areas in Hai Le commune in the period of 2021 - 2025". Because the project combines both heritage and tourism, the tourism sector needs a large investment source to develop these two types synchronously, so it is expected that the commune will implement it by the end of 2025.

The topic focuses on the following contents: Building a plan to open a class to teach Nhu Le singing; building a tourist route combining Nhu Le singing from the flower wharf to Khe Trai - where there is fertile land to grow medicinal plants, and at the same time is an eco-tourism destination that needs to be invested in and built, creating a new feeling of tourism for visitors. Building tourist routes connecting from the central relics of the town to tourist attractions and relics in Hai Le commune. In addition to social effectiveness, the topic will promote economic development and tourism in the area.

In order to preserve and promote intangible cultural values ​​in Hai Le commune, improve the criteria for building advanced new rural areas in the period of 2021-2025, in November 2024, Nhu Le village organized the launching of the Nhu Le Ho Club with 17 members. Twice a month, the Club organizes practice and activities. This is a place to exchange, learn and educate the young generation about the origin and meaning of Nhu Le Ho, thereby preserving and conserving the traditional cultural values ​​of the locality so that they are not lost.

Phan Thi Ha, head of the Nhu Le Ho Club, said: “The club has set up a Facebook group for members to follow, participate in discussions, and coordinate the implementation of content related to the club's activities and activities. In particular, we invited two outstanding artists, Ngo Thi Hue and Ngo Thi Thoi, to be advisors, to support the club in taking notes and recording the content of the songs and how to perform Nhu Le Ho tunes. In addition to club activities, members can save the recordings on their phones, listen to them again, and learn to sing in their spare time, thereby spreading the love of traditional Ho tunes to other members of the family and the community.”

Because the Nhu Le folk song has an ancient style and no music, the current young generation does not fully understand the historical value of this folk song. Therefore, in the curriculum of schools in Hai Le commune, there are lively practical experience lessons.

The teacher has chosen to collect Nhu Le folk songs as a subject for teaching, helping students better understand this folk song. In addition, students have the opportunity to interact, meet, and listen to the melodies performed by local artists. From there, students understand more about the historical value of Nhu Le folk songs, fostering their love for traditional culture.

Vice Chairman of Hai Le Commune People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Dong informed: "To successfully complete the criteria of advanced new rural areas, Hai Le Commune is currently focusing on expanding the model of Nhu Le singing club. Organizing traditional educational activities about Nhu Le singing.

In addition, preserving and maintaining national cultural values ​​​​associated with promoting tourism to complete the criteria of advanced new rural areas. At the same time, it is recommended that superiors have a plan to regularly coordinate in promoting Ho Nhu Le, contributing to the locality in preserving and maintaining traditional culture.

Ko Kan Suong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/dieu-ho-nhu-le-song-mai-voi-thoi-gian-191186.htm