The San Chay ethnic group in Quang Ninh consists of two groups, Cao Lan and San Chi, living in the districts of Tien Yen, Binh Lieu, Ba Che and a small number in Dam Ha. In recent years, the San Chay people have always united, promoted labor production, and actively preserved the traditional cultural values of their people such as: Language, Nom script, soong co singing, ethnic costumes, wedding and funeral customs... including the tac xinh dance (also known as the dance to pray for a good harvest).
In the past, the San Chay people's festivals were indispensable for the Tac Xinh dance. This dance originated from the stylization of movements in daily production and living activities such as: scooping shrimp, catching fish, sowing seeds, clearing fields... With rustic props (bamboo pipes, rattan, reeds, earthenware drums, large drums, small drums, small bells, gongs, cymbals, cymbals, cymbals, trumpets, two-stringed fiddles, flutes), ancient farmers created music for the dance with very cheerful and easy-to-learn melodies, anyone could participate, not just the shamans...
The Tac Xinh dance consists of 9 basic movements: Visiting the road, establishing the village, making decisions, sharpening knives, clearing the fields, checking the stakes, picking, celebrating the harvest and the crow. Each movement reflects familiar tasks in the agricultural life and daily activities of the San Chay people. Besides expressing people's wishes, praying for favorable weather, the growth of all species, a good harvest, praying for peace and happiness for the village, the Tac Xinh dance also expresses the morality of gratitude to ancestors, expressing the desire to conquer nature of the working people. Therefore, this is a unique folk dance, reflecting the harmony between nature, people and the spiritual world. Up to now, the movements in the dance still maintain unity, with little variation, which demonstrates the sustainability in preserving and conserving the cultural beauty of the community.
The music in the Tac Xinh dance has a simple, primitive rhythm, not mixed with modern elements. It is so simple that this dance is understood as Tac raising the foot, and Xinh putting the foot down. The sounds emitted from traditional instruments such as drums, trumpets and hand-crafted bamboo tubes not only keep the rhythm of the dance but also create a joyful musical space, connecting the community, making the village's friendship more solid.
The dance image here clearly shows the fertility belief in that the bamboo shoots and percussion instruments are symbolized as a bridge to transmit the positive energy from the 4 layers of clouds (sky), blending with the negative energy (earth). The harmony of yin and yang creates growth, favorable weather, and favorable business.
During festivals, especially during the harvest season, the Tac Xinh dance is performed as a ritual to honor the agricultural gods, to show gratitude to nature and the land for giving them a bountiful harvest. It is a reminder for everyone to work together and unite to preserve the village. Dancers often wear traditional costumes, showing their strength and dexterity through each dance step, combined with rituals and folk songs, creating a sacred atmosphere.
For the San Chay people, this dance is not only a recreational activity but also a ritual expressing gratitude, a spiritual bridge, maintaining the core values of the community. Therefore, protecting and promoting the value of the heritage of the Tac Xinh dance not only has the meaning of educating the tradition for future generations but also arouses pride in the national identity.
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