Soong Co singing, the pride of the San Diu people

Members of the Soong Co Singing Club in Da Bac hamlet, Ban Dat commune (Phu Binh), during the Soong Co singing exchange session.

The lyrics of the song Soong Co are as clear as the source of a stream, sometimes as warm as the morning light. The song rises and lingers, making time seem to stop. Many young hearts are throbbing, remembering a song from long ago. Hesitating between “some staying, some returning”, we must promise one day… we can return together.

Many people have become husbands and wives from Soong Co singing dates. For the San Diu ethnic group, Soong Co singing has a deep philosophical meaning about spiritual life. The singing sessions are not bound by space or time, meeting each other and shaking hands, the singing creates an exciting, friendly and close atmosphere.

Without musical accompaniment, Soong Co singing always creates a magical attraction for listeners. Even those who do not know the language of the San Diu ethnic group are captivated. Because of the simple storytelling style, singing and composing duets from deep, philosophical melodies, the singing can last for weeks without running out of words.

As a form of love singing, Soong Co can be sung at weddings, housewarmings, congratulatory songs and lullabies. Since the cradle, many people have heard their mothers' lullabies. The language and language of the San Diu ethnic group are passed down through Soong Co songs. However, each singing session has its own rules. For example, at weddings, the first thing is to sing to ask permission to enter and offer sacrifices to ancestors, sing to open the flower wine, sing to wish ancestors and sing riddles, then the boys and girls from both families sing love singing.

A meeting of members of the Soong Co Singing Club in Thanh Tra hamlet, Son Cam commune (Thai Nguyen city).

Singing Soong Co is like a strong yeast that brings happiness to families, creates an exciting working atmosphere and gives each person the motivation to strive. Especially after being recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (in 2015), Singing Soong Co has become a driving force to promote the cultural and artistic movement among the San Diu ethnic group to develop more strongly. Many people are proud: Wherever there is a community of San Diu ethnic people living, there is a Singing Soong Co club.

According to the statistics of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Thai Nguyen province: Currently, the whole province has more than 50,000 San Diu ethnic people (accounting for 30% of ethnic minorities, the largest compared to other provinces and cities in the country), concentrated in Phu Luong, Phu Binh, Dai Tu, Dong Hy districts, Thai Nguyen city and Pho Yen city. Although life is still difficult, San Diu ethnic people are always conscious of preserving traditional cultural beauty, including Soong Co singing. Therefore, in the San Diu ethnic community, many people have been awarded the honorary title of the State by the President: "Meritorious Artist".

Soong co means antiphonal singing, with lyrics in the seven-word quatrain form, recorded in ancient Chinese characters and passed down through oral tradition. However, in reality, at Soong co singing clubs, the transmission of songs is mainly done by the elderly who convey them to each other and sing them together, which is why for a long time, love duet singing has been called exchange singing. On holidays, New Year, when the residential area organizes meetings or when the family has a happy event, people sing Soong co together. Based on the ancient lyrics, people transcribe new lyrics to praise the Party, Uncle Ho, the homeland, the country's renewal, and love between couples...

The enthusiasm of the artisans and the previous generations has motivated many young people who are children of the San Diu ethnic group to consciously learn to speak their ethnic language. Through Soong Co singing is the fastest and most effective way to learn. That is also the way the San Diu ethnic group preserves, transmits and promotes the value of Soong Co singing - a national intangible cultural heritage, the pride of the San Diu ethnic group.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202504/hat-soong-co-niem-tu-hao-cua-nguoi-san-diu-ae90b11/