When sound awakens traditional values

Having traveled through many lands, met many people and witnessed beautiful stories about culture and education, but perhaps the story that touched my heart most deeply and gently was the story of the traditional musical instrument class at Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, Phu Nghia Commune, Dong Nai Province. There, in a space that seemed to have only the sound of wind and birds, the Khmer pentatonic melodies, the gongs and cymbals of the Stieng people echoed, arousing love for traditional cultural values.

Mr. Le Van Cong, Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, guides students in the Music Club to experience Khmer pentatonic scale.

The musical space at Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School is not only a place to impart knowledge but also to kindle the flame of love for traditional music. That love is concretized by the sound of gongs, cymbals, and the solemn pentatonic set placed in the school's cultural house.

Special class at remote school

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life and the appeal of modern music, the musical space at school has brought students closer to the sounds of the past.

Mr. Le Van Cong, the school's music teacher, said: "At first, I just wanted students to have time to experience and bring joy when they were boarding away from home. I hope that through the process of practicing with musical instruments, they will practice perseverance and patience; when they put together a piece of music, they will have discipline and respect for each other when working in groups. And when the piece is completed, they will be familiar with the melody to love the musical melodies of their nation more, from there, they will be proud and responsible for preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of their nation."

“Music is not only a subject but also a powerful educational tool to preserve national cultural identity. I hope that although not all of you will become artists, you will certainly become people who appreciate the cultural values ​​of your nation.”

Mr. LE VAN CONG, Bu Gia Map Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities Boarding School

When first approaching traditional musical instruments, many students were still confused. Some had never heard or touched any musical instruments. Teacher Cong had to study them thoroughly and meticulously to convey the “soul” of each instrument. Difficulties did not discourage him, but on the contrary, increased his happiness when witnessing positive changes in the students.

Tuong Thi Lan, a Khmer ethnic student, grade 12B student at Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, said: “When I joined the class, I felt deeply connected to the culture and music of the Vietnamese people, and at the same time felt proud. At first, I thought the pentatonic scale was just a strange musical instrument, but when Mr. Cong taught me, I understood that it was the voice of my people.”

And Dieu So Han, a Stieng ethnic, 12th grade student, felt: “By participating in the pentatonic music class, I not only learned how to play the instrument but also loved music more and was proud of my nation's cultural heritage. Thanks to learning the pentatonic music, I feel closer to my ethnic culture and also more attached to my friends and teachers.”

Not only stopping at the experience, the traditional musical instrument performances of teachers and students of this school have spread far and wide to important local events in recent times. Mr. Cong cannot forget the bright, proud eyes of the students when they were cheered by the audience and won high prizes at competitions. For Mr. Cong, it is not only a prize but also a recognition for the efforts, the sweat, and more importantly, it is an affirmation that national culture always has a solemn position in the modern flow.

“After feeling bewildered, the students were very excited and delighted, as if they were discovering something new. Their eyes lit up when they first touched the gong, when the pentatonic instrument made strange yet familiar sounds, like voices from thousands of years ago. My greatest joy was seeing the students not only play musical instruments but also confidently perform, even creating ways to play modern songs on traditional musical instruments,” added Mr. Cong.

Continuing the journey of preserving heritage

Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School currently has about 500 students with 16 ethnic groups such as: Stieng, Tay, Nung, Hoa... The music space at the school is about 40m2 wide, displaying and using 2 sets of Khmer pentatonic instruments, 1 set of gongs, 1 set of cymbals of the Stieng people; Tinh lute of the Tay people; Western musical instruments including piano, guitar, violin... To educate students to be proud of the beautiful cultural identity of the nation, in addition to teaching ethnic music, the school also encourages and includes in the regulations the wearing of ethnic costumes, encourages teachers to learn the Stieng language...

Space displaying Khmer musical instruments at the Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Minorities organized by Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities in 2024.

“If we do not love ourselves, we cannot love anything else. Students must love the costumes, the language, the lullabies, the gong sounds, the tones of the pentatonic scale, and the fine traditions of their own people, then they can love the culture and respect the identity of students from other ethnic groups. From there, they can love their country completely. From that love, they know how to live together, how to give in, how to love each other, and how to be useful people in the boarding environment,” emphasized Mr. Nguyen The Hung, the school’s principal.

In the educational environment, all actions must be directed towards students. At Bu Gia Map Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, thanks to the attention paid to facilities and the school's regular participation in annual cultural and sports festivals of ethnic minorities, and the good organization of ethnic music club activities in schools, the school's cultural space has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness. Through the cultural space, the school hopes that each student will be a propagandist, clearly understanding the good and beauty of their ethnic cultural identity.

Tran Thi Xuan Dieu, a 12A student, shared: “Participating in the pentatonic class for me is not only about learning music but also about learning to appreciate and preserve the diverse cultural identity of the nation. Each sound makes me feel that I am living with the culture, touching sacred values ​​and feeling the connection between people and music. It is like a bridge connecting our young generation with the origin of the nation. From there, I feel the closeness and sacredness in each sound. I feel like I have more faith and responsibility. It is not only about preserving music but also about preserving the soul of national culture in today's life.”

In a remote area, there is a cultural space that has been quietly preserving traditional values ​​that are at risk of being lost. The teachers here not only teach music but also teach the children how to love, appreciate and preserve their own identity. They are not only the inheritors but also the messengers carrying the sound and soul of their nation further.

Phuong Dung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202510/khi-thanh-am-danh-thuc-gia-tri-truyen-thong-01f0268/