Distinctive cultural spaces

A convergence of cultural spaces of various ethnic groups.

The 2024 Folk Performance and Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups, taking place from August 1-4, is a gathering place for the dissemination of the cultural identity of various ethnic groups; it is also an opportunity for ethnic groups to interact, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese cultural identity.

During these days, as part of the festival at the Quang Ngai Provincial Cultural Center, the following programs took place: performances of folk songs, folk dances and ethnic costumes; performances of traditional rituals; and a culinary competition.

The performances showcased the vibrant colors and patterns of the 24 participating units. Each unit presented many outstanding performances reflecting the unique cultural identity of the local ethnic communities. Many performances authentically recreated the religious practices and activities of the local ethnic groups and communities.

Twelve delegations from provinces and cities participated in the traditional ceremony performance, including: Quang Ngai, An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak, Dien Bien, Gia Lai, Hai Duong, Hoa Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Khanh Hoa. Many traditional rituals and customs were recreated by artisans, artists, and actors representing various ethnic groups from these localities.

The Quang Ngai delegation impressed with their reenactment of a segment of the Hoang Sa Soldiers' Commemoration Ceremony. This ritual, maintained by the residents of Ly Son Island to this day, demonstrates their patriotic tradition and affirms Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands. Artist Tran Cong Trong from Ly Son district participated in the ceremony as a shaman, sharing his knowledge. Models of fishing boats, sacrificial offerings, effigies, and memorial tablets of the Hoang Sa commanders, along with the resonant sound of conch shells, created a unique and distinctive festival of this frontier island. The Hoang Sa Soldiers' Commemoration Ceremony is still maintained by the residents of Ly Son Island today to express their patriotic tradition and affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands.

Spectators attending the ethnic ritual performance had the opportunity to experience the diverse and unique cultural rituals and customs of various localities. Artists from Bac Giang recreated the custom of celebrating the birthdays of the elderly (known as "Tay Khoan" in the Nung language).

Meritorious Artist Chu Thi Hong Van shared that birthday celebrations are usually held for those who have become grandparents and have many children and grandchildren. According to custom, birthdays are the day when children show filial piety to their grandparents and parents. This tradition reflects the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source." This is also a unique feature in the culture of the Nung ethnic group in Bac Giang.

Coming to the competition with the goal of spreading the love of Quan Ho folk songs, the Bac Ninh delegation performed the smooth and heartfelt melodies of the male and female singers. The spirit of Quan Ho folk songs permeated every verse and spread to the hearts of every person from Bac Ninh.

Ms. Dao Thuy Mien, Deputy Head of the Bac Ninh delegation, said that 20 artists had actively practiced and performed at the competition to affirm that Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs are being preserved and strongly developed, deserving to be recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

The Quang Ngai delegation impressed with their reenactment of a scene from the Hoang Sa Soldiers' Feast.

The traditional ritual performance section also included reenactments of unique ceremonies such as: the traditional wedding ceremony of the Cham Muslim people in An Giang province; the New Rice Festival of the Ede people in Dak Lak province; the engagement ceremony of the Thai people in Dien Bien province; the communal house worship ceremony of the Gia Rai and Bahnar people in Gia Lai province; the New Rice Festival of the S'tieng ethnic group in Binh Phuoc province… These rituals are deeply spiritual, reflecting the rich spiritual life and high aesthetic value with dances and folk songs passed down through generations of these ethnic groups.

People's Artist Pham Thi Tang from Lo village, Cao Ngoc commune, Ngoc Lac district (Thanh Hoa province) participated in the competition to recreate the Poon Poong Festival (Flower Playing Festival) along with other artists. Artist Tang has dedicated much effort to preserving and promoting this festival. Thanks to her efforts, the traditional cultural values ​​of the Muong ethnic group in Thanh Hoa province are always preserved and promoted.

The Pôồn Pôông festival of the Muong people is held annually on the full moon days of the first, third, and seventh lunar months, with the hope of a bountiful harvest and a prosperous and happy life. The festival combines ritualistic prayers for blessings and peace with elements of courtship between men and women.

Despite being 80 years old, Mrs. Tang still remembers all the details of the Pôồn Pôông art form, with its 48 unique games and performances, and has become the master of ceremonies for the flower festival in Cao Ngọc commune. People's Artist Pham Thi Tang shared, "I only hope to have enough health to pass on all these performances to my children and grandchildren, so that Pôồn Pôông will live on with generations of the Muong people."

Many traditional rituals and customs are reenacted by artisans, artists, and actors representing various ethnic groups from different localities.

Spreading love for heritage

At the competition, the Lam Dong delegation performed an excerpt from the New Rice Festival. For the K'ho S'rê people in Lam Dong province, the New Rice Festival is usually held after the harvest season, from around December to January of the following year, to pray to the rice god for food, clothing, and increasing prosperity and well-being for everyone and every family. Village elder K The shared that the festival is still preserved today, with the meaning of strengthening community bonds. We are always proud of our ethnic group's cultural traditions and hope that through this competition, the heritage values ​​we preserve will be loved and cherished by our fellow ethnic groups.

Mr. Dieu Thieng, from Binh Phuoc province, shared: "Coming to this year's competition, our delegation brings the unique characteristics of the S'Tieng people from Binh Phuoc province to blend into the colorful tapestry of Vietnamese ethnic groups."

“We are very happy to contribute to the cultural and artistic activities of the competition. The happiest thing is that participating in the competition has allowed us to better understand the differences in our ethnic culture compared to other ethnic communities. Coming to the competition, I feel like I am immersing myself in it, to better understand myself, to see the unique characteristics of my ethnic group and other ethnic communities, to see the diversity and rich cultural identity of our nation,” said Mr. Dieu Thieng.

Each festival and competition among ethnic groups and localities has created a diverse cultural space, rich in identity, and left many beautiful impressions in the hearts of the audience.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (Quang Ngai City) said: "When I learned about this competition, I came and really enjoyed watching the performances of ethnic rituals. It gave me more opportunities to experience and understand the diverse rituals of Vietnamese ethnic groups. I was very impressed with the reenactment of the brotherhood ceremony of the Co Tu people in Quang Nam province; it was very meaningful, guiding each person towards a life of valuing affection, solidarity, and love for one another – very humane and highly educational. Besides that, I was truly moved by the performance of the Hoang Sa soldiers' farewell ceremony by the Quang Ngai delegation. Through it, I saw the hardships and sacrifices of generations of Vietnamese people who have braved the vast ocean to protect the country's islands. From that, I love my country and homeland even more."

Source: https://toquoc.vn/hoi-thi-dien-xuong-dan-gian-van-hoa-cac-dan-toc-nam-2024-dac-sac-nhung-khong-gian-van-hoa-20240805105735714.htm