'Thien' - a live performance inspired by the Dao people's religious culture

The journey to find land to build a village, the ordination ceremony, costumes, folk songs, and life philosophy of the Dao people will be dramatized in the art program "Thien" taking place in November in Sa Pa, Lao Cai .

Sharing with the press on September 23 in Hanoi , scriptwriter Ha Van Thang said that "Thieng" is a large-scale visual performance and music art project, inspired by the cultural treasure of the Dao community in Sa Pa.

The work depicts the connection between earth, water, fire, love and belief, and honors the sacredness of traditional rituals, especially the initiation ceremony, which symbolizes maturity and the Dao people's philosophy of life.

The program's structure includes 6 acts - 11 scenes, duration is about 65 minutes: Land (Finding land, Establishing a village, Building a house), Water (Praying for rain - Water returns), Fire (Burning stove - Sacred fire), Love (Festival - Bride procession), Sacred (7-lamp ordination - 12-lamp ordination - Sending the saint to heaven), Conclusion (Praising the identity, beliefs and quintessence of Dao culture).

The program aims to preserve, transmit and promote the quintessence of the Dao people, through performing arts combining modern technology such as lighting, stage arrangements, 3D mapping, but still respecting the original culture.

This is also an opportunity for the Dao people themselves to directly participate, telling the story of their own people through the language of art. Bilingual narration in Vietnamese-Dao and Vietnamese-English will help expand access to international audiences.

The program aims to preserve, transmit and promote the quintessence of the Dao people. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

Author Ha Van Thang has worked in the cultural sector for many years, he is worried about the loss of tradition, but then, when he immerses himself in the village, participates in the ceremonies, he clearly feels the passionate love that the people have for the mountains, for the people, and for the values that their ancestors left behind. It is that love that gives him the belief that if preserved with heart, with responsibility, and with the support of the community, those values will last forever.

However, the script idea alone is not enough to turn cultural materials into a great play. So author Ha Van Thang and director Dang Xuan Truong joined hands to create “Thieng” into a lively cultural practice.

"Sacred" in Dang Xuan Truong's view is the visual art of images and light, combined with stage installation art, music , dance, religious practices and legends and love songs.

The director chose music based on traditional Dao instruments, using props such as masks, worship paintings, swords, knives, winnowing baskets, mortars and pestles, and original Dao costumes, especially costumes used in initiation ceremonies, weddings, forest worship ceremonies, festivals, etc.

Director Dang Xuan Truong shared with the press on September 23. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

On this occasion, the creative team also organized the art program "Dance under the Moon" to introduce cultural slices through folk dances associated with the unique and rich cultural and religious life of the ethnic groups in Sa Pa.

The mysterious Red Dao people in the shaman's Van Phu dance, resplendent in bridal costumes, bustling with drum beats and the sound of pi le trumpets.

The Mong people are strong with their panpipe and senh tien stick dances; their flared skirts show off their beauty, both refined and liberal.

The Xa Pho people are unique with the whistling sound of the flute and the bustling sound of the rice pounding pestle, carrying the rhythm of labor and the strength of solidarity.

The Tay people hummed the Tinh lute, the Then master sang sacred songs, reflecting spiritual life and love for the homeland.

The Giay people are graceful in their fan dance, like birds flying in the clouds, expressing their desire for freedom and spirit of overcoming difficulties.

The climax of the play is the "Solidarity Dance" of all five ethnic groups.

The “Sacred” program takes place on November 7 and 14. “Dance under the Moon” takes place on November 8 and 15. The program has the participation of 176 artisans and ethnic people in Sa Pa, Lao Cai and 22 professional actors from the Lao Cai Province Ethnic Arts Troupe./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thieng-show-dien-thuc-canh-lay-cam-hung-tu-van-hoa-tin-nguong-nguoi-dao-post1063561.vnp