Folk songs and dances resound in the highlands

Chang village art troupe (Le Loi commune) practices Tinh Tau lute dance

Modern life is permeating and existing in the lives of people in the province, so folk songs and dances are also at risk of fading away. In recent years, the province has had many practical ways to bring folk songs and dances into mass art programs, performances, and traditional festivals. Localities in the province have established and maintained hundreds of art troupes; encouraging the younger generation to participate in learning, performing, and creating on the basis of folk music .
Visiting Noong Quang village (Kheen On commune), we were attracted by the music and singing of Mong ethnic folk songs resounding in the cultural house. Surprisingly, the members were all very young and led by Mua Thi Kia (19 years old) as the "conductor". Accompanying Kia was also the village chief Vu A Cho. Mr. Cho is a particularly important factor of the village in preserving and promoting the folk songs and dances of the Mong ethnic group. Therefore, in the group's songs, there is always the clear, resonant sound of his leaf flute.
Mr. Cho confided: There are many forms of Mong folk songs, which are still preserved today, such as: singing in daily activities (lullabies, children's songs); ritual singing (moving to a new house, weddings, sending off the soul) and love songs. From birth, Mong children have been immersed in the cradle of community culture with folk songs about daily life. Folk songs are not only expressed in words but can also be expressed through musical instruments such as flutes, panpipes, and leaf trumpets. This is a way to preserve cultural identity as well as "enrich" Mong folk songs.
Coming to the Thai villages in the communes of Khong Lao, Phong Tho, Le Loi, Muong Mo... we were immersed in folk songs and dances about production practices and daily activities. The White Thai people of Lai Chau have festivals such as Then Kin Pang, Nang Han, Kin Lau Khau Mau... in the worship rituals, the dances describe the movements of production labor, inviting the gods, praying for good harvest. The Thai people are also famous for 36 xoe dances which have been developed into traditional dances of the ethnic group to serve the occasion of holidays, New Year, and festivals. Many dances are associated with rice civilization and daily activities, such as: bathing in streams, washing hair.
In Chang village (Le Loi commune), the Xoe dances and the bustling drum and gong sounds of the Thai people not only unite the community, but also nurture national pride. On festivals and happy days, members of the village's art troupe are resplendent in traditional costumes, gracefully performing the Xoe dance, fan dance, and conical hat dance. Ms. Sam Thi Ngoan (Chang village art troupe) said: "I have been a member of the village's art troupe for nearly 10 years. Up to now, we can be proud that we have been preserving and promoting the beauty of Thai folk songs and dances through regular practice; exchanges, and participation in competitions and performances inside and outside the province."
Lai Chau still preserves traditional values imbued with identity, including tangible and intangible cultural heritages, such as: xoe dance, conical hat dance, tinh tau dance, scarf dance, then singing of the Thai ethnic group; khen dance, xung xinh dance of the Mong ethnic group; antiphonal folk singing of the Dao and Si La ethnic groups... Traditional songs and dances are preserved, promoted and used by ethnic groups in many aspects of life: from folk belief rituals to ceremonies, festivals, and community activities. Through traditional folk songs and dances, viewers and listeners can learn about the history, geography, and ecological environment of ethnic groups.
Mr. Tran Quang Khang - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: "In recent years, the province has focused on preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups, including traditional folk songs and dances. In particular, the young generation has increasingly participated, becoming the core force in art troupes. This is a positive signal, because when the young generation loves and is attached to it, the heritage will have a lasting vitality. In the coming time, the provincial Department of Culture will continue to coordinate with localities to open classes, organize performances and festivals; combine traditional art activities with community tourism development, so that the heritage can be strongly spread and practically entered into life."
Preserving and promoting folk songs and dances of ethnic groups in Lai Chau, contributing to building a rich cultural life, fostering solidarity, and promoting the image of local tourism . In today's life, the sound of the panpipe, the xoe dance, and the love songs still resonate, becoming a bridge connecting the past and the present, making the younger generation more proud and appreciative.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/lan-dieu-dan-ca-dan-vu-ngan-vang-tren-reo-cao-1273434