Artisan Dinh Thi Tuyet: Persistently passing on the flame of H're culture

(GLO)- Amidst the modern pace of life, artisan Dinh Thi Tuyet (56 years old, H're ethnic group, village 7, An Lao commune) still persistently preserves the gong sounds and folk songs of her homeland.

For nearly 45 years, she has practiced and taught many women and young people how to play gongs, sing folk songs, and dance, arousing pride and awareness of heritage preservation, becoming a person who spreads the flame of H're culture.

From the gong of childhood to today's youth

When I arrived, from afar, the sound of gongs in the village 7 cultural house was bustling with calls to quicken my steps. In the large house, a group of teenagers sat in a circle, enthusiastically beating the rhythms of chinh tim (gong 5) and chinh toc (gong 3). Mrs. Tuyet lovingly held the children's hands, adjusting each movement, while telling the legends associated with each gong, instilling in them a sense of pride in their culture. After each gong song, she guided them in singing and dancing, blowing into the space a fire of passion that made the children's faces light up.

Dinh Minh Duc (13 years old, H're ethnic, in village 7) shared: “At first, I only heard the sound of gongs in festivals, and found the sound very pleasant. When my parents agreed to let me learn, I was a bit worried because I thought playing gongs was difficult. The first few sessions, my hands were numb and the rhythm was not even, I wanted to give up, but Ms. Tuyet patiently showed me each movement, and the more I learned, the more passionate I became. Now, every time I finish a complete piece, I am very happy!”

Ms. Dinh Thi Tuyet (left) instructs Dinh Thi Kim Ngan how to play the chinh tim (gong 5). Photo: D.D

Dinh Thi Kim Ngan (13 years old, H're ethnic, in village 6) also confided: "When I was young, I often followed my sisters to watch gongs, listening to the sound and wanting to learn. In my free time, with Ms. Tuyet's guidance, I also learned to sing folk songs in my own language. I hope to grow up and still preserve the gong sounds, dances and folk songs of my people."

Taking advantage of the break, Mrs. Tuyet told about her affinity with gongs. When she was young, whenever there were cultural activities in the village or neighboring areas, her mother took her along. On festival nights, the rapid, resonant sounds of gongs mesmerized her, instilling a passion in her without her realizing it. When she was 11 or 12 years old, seeing her daughter's passion, her mother began to teach her the first gong beats. That small hand gradually mastered difficult rhythms such as "bam" (literary music), "bam" (fast beat), roong tí, roong teo...

“Every time the gong sounds, I feel like I’m reliving the fiery moonlit nights, listening to the whispering of the mountains and forests, and seeing my childhood with my grandmother and mother come flooding back. I teach not only so that the children can play the gong and sing, but more importantly, so that they can understand and love their own culture. If the younger generation does not learn, the gong sound will be silent, and folk songs will disappear. I hope that when the children play a gong beat or sing a song, they will feel proud and responsible for preserving it, so that its echoes will continue to live in every home and every festival of the village,” Ms. Tuyet confided.

The sound of gongs resonates far away, the song anchors the soul of the mountains and forests

Not only teaching the youth in the community, Ms. Tuyet also regularly participates in traditional festivals of the commune and An Lao district (old). From the new rice celebration, worshiping the Village God to large and small cultural events..., everywhere you can see her figure in a colorful brocade dress, performing and taking advantage of her breaks to instruct the young people and women how to play gongs.

Ms. Dinh Thi Kem (50 years old, H're ethnic, in village 7) said: "Every time I practice gongs with Ms. Tuyet, I feel calmer and closer to my homeland. The sound of gongs reminds me of my roots, making me proud of my national identity. Thanks to her dedication, I love and cherish the tradition more and hope that future generations will also preserve that sacred sound."

Teenagers were taught a gong playing lesson by Ms. Tuyet (back row, third from right) and guided to sing and dance. Photo: D.D

Besides performing, Ms. Tuyet also composed many folk songs imbued with the spirit of the mountains and forests such as: Lullaby of the farming season, Afternoon on the Dinh River, Singing about An Lao, My Hometown, Gong Festival at the An Lao Victory Monument... Her works were arranged in both H're and Vietnamese languages, evoking images of people, homeland, and simple country and have been played in many festivals, contributing to promoting national identity.

“I compose from my childhood memories and love for the mountains and forests of An Lao. Each verse, each rhythm contains the soul of the H're people. When hearing the gong sounds combined with the lyrics, I hope my children and grandchildren will feel the cultural value, feel proud of their roots and preserve the heritage, so that the gong sounds and lyrics will always resonate, never fading away,” Ms. Tuyet shared.

According to Mr. Phan Hoai Vu, Secretary of the Party Committee of An Lao Commune, in the face of the current situation where many national cultural values ​​are at risk of being lost, artisan Dinh Thi Tuyet has pioneered in teaching gongs and folk songs to the younger generation, building "nuclei" of successors. She also actively participates in festivals, promotes traditional music , helps the sound of gongs to resonate far and wide, arouses pride and awareness of cultural preservation in the community. We always respect and appreciate her contributions. In the coming time, the commune will continue to coordinate with her and other artisans to promote cultural values ​​to tourists, helping traditions to be preserved and spread widely.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nghe-nhan-dinh-thi-tuyet-ben-bi-truyen-lua-van-hoa-hre-post567033.html