The changing life today and the sediments from the ancient past in the land at the foot of the legendary Lang Bian mountain seem to be merging into one. Located in Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province, the space of the residential area here is very lively, something that is not easy to find in many other ethnic minority areas. Almost every night, the villages light forest fires to welcome visitors. With passion and talent, the young Co Ho people have turned the traditional cultural heritage of their ethnic group and the natural landscape of their homeland into an extremely valuable source of livelihood, a way to preserve and promote culture in a truly sustainable way.
Co Ho boys from Lac Duong district perform gongs at a cultural event.
The whole Lat commune and Lac Duong town with the villages of B'Neur, Dang Ya, Dung are not far from the sacred mountain named Lang Bian. The same goes for the areas of Da Sar, Da Chais, Da Nhim or Dung K'Nor. The villages are all gently sloping along the valley slopes at the foot of the legendary mountain. That mountain has become the flesh and blood of the residents here, the mountain has given them full breasts, resounding voices and preserved the cultural and spiritual flame that has been burning brightly for thousands of years.
According to research documents, the Co Ho people of the two Lach and Chil branches on the Lang Bian plateau are ethnic groups that have been known since very early times. Many opinions say that the name of the Lach tribe is the origin of the name of Da Lat city later (Da Lach: the water of the Lach people). The Lach and Chil people live concentrated in communes and towns of Lac Duong district. Their ancestors were the first residents here to meet and welcome the scientist Alexandre Yersin and his expedition team on their journey to explore the plateau more than a century ago. That was a historical discovery that laid the foundation for the birth of a resort city in the middle of the tropics.
In his diary, the Swiss scientist with French nationality wrote: “The population in the area is sparse. Several Lach villages live at the foot of Lang Bian mountain. They are very good at rice farming and are very hospitable. We were welcomed in the communal house of Dang Ya village. The dignitaries brought a jar of rice wine. Fortunately, they did not ask me to drink it all at first...”. Perhaps, the open and hospitable nature of the Co Ho people is the first condition that has created their success today in the tourism business. They have done tourism with their own cultural identity, talent, and natural, honest appearance.
Every time we return to the land at the foot of Lang Bian, the same direction as us is often the bus going down from Da Lat. Tourists come here from many parts of the country and many countries in the world. What do they seek in this land? It is the conquest of the peaks of mountains nearly two thousand meters high in the space of Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park; it is the nights by the forest fire listening to the Yalyău and Tampot songs, the blaring of gongs five and three, and the melody of the M'buot flute while drunk with rice wine. They seek to return to the legendary space. They long to explore nature, make friends with local residents and learn about some of the fascinating and mysterious cultural strata.
In this land, it seems that every person knows how to do tourism. During the peak tourist season, every night, the village has dozens of gong cultural groups lighting up fire to welcome guests. Hosts and guests are fascinated by the forest dances sparkling with the innocent eyes of mountain girls, with rice wine and traditional specialties, and let their souls wander with the colorful brocade patterns that fill the valley. They enjoy the taste of specialty Arabica coffee and visit the attractive Bidoup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve. This "spiritual" area is also famous as a land of learning with many highly educated and talented people.
In particular, because of the fame of this small countryside, which is the birthplace of many professional musicians and singers who are becoming famous in the country. Many tourists want to go to the village to listen to stories and enjoy the singing voices of the residents at the foot of the legendary Lang Bian mountain such as Meritorious Artist Krajăn Dick, musician-singer Krajăn Plin, young male singer Dagoút Đoát, Krajăn K'Druynh or the singing girls of the Lang Bian mountains and forests: Cil Glé, Pantinh Sally, Pantinh Benziên, K'rezan Drim, K'razan Doan. Occasionally, singers: Siu Black, Yphôn K'sor or Y Zak, Y Garia from Kon Tum or Buon Ma Thuot also stop by to join in the fun...
According to a report from the Lac Duong district cultural sector, up to now, there have been 17 gong clubs, teams and groups in the district serving the needs of tourists. Of these, eight groups are organized by ethnic minority families; four groups are organized by companies and businesses; and five groups are in communes. The activities of this model have contributed to the effective preservation and sustainable promotion of traditional cultural values and are the livelihoods of more than 200 local workers.
The number of about 1.2 million tourists coming to experience a district-level area every year is a wonderful recognition. Fully aware of the great value system of culture, Lac Duong district has effectively implemented the National Action Program on preserving cultural heritages. Besides promoting propaganda about the cultural values of ethnic minorities, the district has opened classes to teach gongs to young people; restored traditional festivals such as the ritual of offering rice to the fields, the new rice celebration, and the wedding ceremony of the Co Ho people.
In particular, in 2023, Lac Duong district coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province to implement the Traditional Village Project of the Co Ho ethnic group, Dung K'Si hamlet, Da Chais commune under the Project to Preserve each typical traditional village and hamlet of ethnic minorities from the investment capital of the National Target Program on Socio-economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2025. The locality is also implementing the Project to Build a Community Cultural Tourism Village of Dung K'Nor commune; contributing to preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the Co Ho ethnic group associated with developing community tourism, promoting socio-economic development and introducing and promoting the culture and people of Lac Duong district.
I have had many opportunities to return to the land at the foot of Lang Bian Mountain, immersing myself in the gong rhythms next to the jar of rice wine and the fire, enjoying the folk songs and dances with the village boys and girls and tourists from all over the world. The pioneers in organizing cultural tourism such as Krajăn Plin and Panting Mut have continued to be passionate about “keeping the red stove warm” over the years.
Young people like K'Druynh, Dagoút Liêm, Dagoút Đoát and many of their associates continue and develop with many new ways. Almost all boys and girls in every village at the foot of Lang Bian mountain can participate in community tourism activities; they can perform music, serve food or produce traditional handicrafts to supply to tourists. It is truly admirable that young ethnic minority people have turned traditional cultural values passed down from their ancestors into a wonderful source of livelihood. This approach not only contributes to preserving the good old values, but also improves the lives of a part of the people in the highlands in a sustainable way.
Uong Thai Bieu/Nhan Dan Newspaper
Source: https://baophutho.vn/di-san-van-hoa-thanh-sinh-ke-ben-vung-221976.htm
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