Keeping the soul of Xam in the new rhythm of life

VHO - From the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the rustic Xam melodies still resonate in everyday life like the breath of Ninh Binh people for generations. Not only is it a folk performing art heritage, Xam singing is also a living proof of the enduring vitality of regional culture - where people, artisans and authorities join hands to preserve the national soul, nurturing the green shoots to continue the tradition.

Xam singing is often performed at traditional festivals in Ninh Binh.

In modern life, Xam language is still passionately affirming the cultural identity of a land rich in tradition and community spirit.

Bridge between past and present

In the middle of Yen Tu countryside (Yen Mo, Ninh Binh), Xam singing resounds regularly in mass cultural activities, like the breath of the old countryside soul echoing in today's life. The person who lights and keeps the flame of that heritage is Ms. Pham Thi Kim Ngan, 64 years old - Head of Yen Tu Xam Singing Club. Having devoted more than half of her life to traditional art, Ms. Kim Ngan is both a teacher and a bridge between the past and present generations in the journey to preserve the cultural identity of the Northern Delta region.

She said she was lucky to study with artist Ha Thi Cau - "Living human treasure", "The last Xam artist of the 20th century". It was Cau's passion and example that instilled in her a deep love for Xam - a popular art form in the countryside markets and waterfronts, reflecting the livelihood and soul of people in the lowlands.

More than twenty years ago, when she saw the traditional art movement in the locality gradually fading away, Ms. Kim Ngan established the Cheo Singing Club, creating a space for people to exchange. After that, worried that Xam singing would be forgotten, she continued to establish the Yen Tu Xam Singing Club, maintaining its activities for the past 15 years with nearly 20 members of many ages, including children aged 12-16. Although conditions are still difficult, operating costs are mainly contributed by members themselves, but passion and national pride are still the biggest driving force. "More and more young people love Xam, looking back to the national soul in modern life," Ms. Ngan excitedly shared.

From this “folk music furnace”, many young faces have shone, including Vuong Mai Thuy Trang (14 years old), who won the National Xam Singing Gold Medal. Trang confided: “I was born into a family that loves the arts, so I have loved traditional melodies since I was little. When I studied Xam singing, my whole family supported me, helping me to be more confident in my passion.”

These persistent efforts have contributed to preserving a traditional art form, demonstrating the vitality of Ninh Binh culture - where people still silently nurture their love for their homeland through each song and drum beat, maintaining their roots amidst the changes of the times.

More and more young people know and learn Xam singing.

Efforts to promote heritage values

Not stopping at the individual efforts of dedicated artisans, the movement to preserve Xam singing in Yen Tu has become a vibrant community cultural activity, contributing to shaping local identity in the midst of modernity.

According to Mr. An Viet Tho, Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Yen Tu commune, in recent years, the local government has always identified the preservation, maintenance and promotion of intangible cultural heritage as a pillar in the strategy of developing grassroots culture. Xam singing, Cheo singing and folk ritual classes are held regularly, gathering a large number of artisans and people of many ages, aiming to arouse love for traditional culture and foster pride in the homeland in each person.

Along with teaching, Yen Tu also focuses on building a conservation model associated with community cultural development. Art and mass cultural clubs are organized systematically and regularly, serving as both a place for artistic exchange and a nucleus for spreading the spirit of solidarity and humanity. From each singing session and performance, people gain a deeper understanding of the value of their homeland's heritage - simple melodies but containing the soul of the land of Ninh Binh, rich in tradition.

Mr. Tho added: “We always strive to bring Xam singing closer to the public, especially the young generation. Xam art is present in traditional festivals, in extracurricular activities at school - where children can listen, feel and be proud of their homeland's heritage. It is this close approach that helps Xam not only exist in memory, but truly live in today's cultural life.”

Thanks to the persistent efforts of the government, artisans and the community, Yen Tu is now considered a bright spot in the work of preserving folk culture in the Northern Delta region. Here, each Xam verse is both a song and a cultural flow connecting the past - present - future, a testament to the strong vitality of Vietnam's regional culture. Amidst the pace of industrialization, the Xam verse still resonates passionately, as a tribute to ancestors and a lasting harmony of love for the homeland, people and national culture.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/giu-hon-xam-giua-nhip-song-moi-175284.html