About Ngoc Lac to listen to the sound of gongs

For generations, for the Muong people, gongs are not only musical instruments, but also “treasures” of the nation. The sound of gongs carries with it many aspirations and wishes for a prosperous and happy life. And, since when, gongs have become an indispensable “spiritual food” in the cultural and religious life of the Muong people.

About Ngoc Lac to listen to the sound of gongs Gongs are a unique cultural feature of the Muong Ngoc Lac people.

We arrived at Thuan Hoa village, Quang Trung commune on a spring morning. On the way to the house of gong artist Pham Vu Vuong, we heard the sound of gongs and gongs. Together with the sound of the wind blowing through the mountains and forests, the sound of gongs and gongs became clearer and clearer, as if calling out. A feeling of peace mixed with excitement filled the air...

When it comes to the culture of the Muong people, we cannot ignore gongs. This is a unique and attractive cultural form of the Muong people in general and the Muong people in Ngoc Lac in particular. The sound of gongs is always associated with the life and daily life, festivals, and rituals of the people. In the past, the population was sparse, the sound of gongs helped people chase away wild animals. When fighting against foreign invaders, the sound of gongs became the sound that urged the Muong people to stand up. And since who knows when, the Muong people have breathed life into gongs, associating them with music, songs, dances, rituals, and customs typical of their people. Then, those sounds gradually took over the entire Muong village, penetrated into all aspects of life, and were attached to the life of every Muong person.

During Tet, gongs and drums follow the Phuong Chuc (Sac bua) to bring luck to every house and every village. Gongs welcome the arrival of humans and bid farewell to their journey on earth. Gongs and drums bless couples on their wedding day; urge them to go to festivals and fields, dispel bad omens in life and bring wishes for a prosperous and happy life...

Meritorious artist Pham Vu Vuong shared: “For the Muong ethnic group, gongs are the link between people. And more than that, it is the language to communicate with heaven, earth, gods, and ancestors to convey wishes.”

According to Mr. Vuong, each gong is considered a valuable asset of each family and community. Therefore, he is always conscious and responsible for preserving and collecting. Up to now, he is always proud of his valuable assets. Those are 20 gongs that regularly serve cultural and artistic activities, festivals and major local events.

Through many generations, gongs have always existed in the consciousness, cultural life, spirit and beliefs of the Muong people. And even happier, when the Muong people are increasingly aware of the role and value of gongs. From the old to the young, men and women, everyone joins hands to preserve and promote the value of gongs.

The love for gongs and the joy when the gongs resound is not only evident on the radiant, cheerful face of the Muong people who are over 80 years old. It is also a common joy, pride and responsibility of the Muong people.

Ms. Truong Thi Phi in Quang Trung commune, who has been involved with the Muong Ngoc Lac Ethnic Folk Culture Club for many years, said: “In the past, it was difficult to mobilize people to join the club. But now, everyone is aware of the role of gongs as well as other cultural values, so they actively participate. Everyone is happy to participate in gong performances. Many families, the whole family participates in the practice, and more and more children love and participate in folk cultural activities.”

Talking with the members of the Muong Ngoc Lac Ethnic Folklore Club, we understood that their love for gongs and ethnic culture is very great. Thanks to their love and enthusiasm, Muong gong culture in Ngoc Lac has spread far beyond the geographical limits and the space of mountains and forests.

Talking about gong culture, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Ngoc Lac district Pham Dinh Cuong said: “Through the process of labor, creation and being passed down and inherited through many generations, gongs have now become a unique cultural heritage imbued with national identity and a spiritual support for the Muong people. To preserve and promote the cultural value of gongs, the Party Committee, government and people of Ngoc Lac have actively implemented many activities to contribute to creating a "living space" for gongs. Thanks to that, the sounds of gongs always resonate in the minds and lives of the people, becoming a driving force to promote the socio -economic development of the locality."

Article and photos: Quynh Chi

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