Hung Ha: Developing and maintaining rowing art clubs

The hustle and bustle of modern life is pushing traditional cultural values away from the community. However, in every village in Hung Ha district, Cheo singing still resonates. People are making efforts to preserve and promote the traditional Cheo art of their homeland by developing and maintaining Cheo art clubs.

Cheo singing performance at the training session, teaching the art of Cheo to the general managers and music teachers in the whole district.

Having the opportunity to attend the activities of the Duyen Hai Commune Cheo Art Club, listening to the simple and sincere singing of the Club members, we felt the endless passion for the rustic Cheo of the farmers here.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Be, Cheo Art Club said: We practice very enthusiastically, sometimes we practice until late at night and don't want to go home, everyone is excited as if they feel younger and more optimistic... In each club meeting, members enthusiastically instruct and guide each other to make the songs sweeter and the dances more fluent. The Duyen Hai Commune Cheo Art Club has nearly 40 members, most of whom are between 50 and 70 years old.

Ms. Do Thi Mai, Club President, said: Stemming from the passion and love for Cheo singing, the members of the Club, although busy with farming and family work, are all very enthusiastic about the activities of the Club. They are passionate and happy to contribute to preserving and promoting the value of Cheo art. During the process of participating in performances and cultural exchanges, along with reenacting ancient Cheo excerpts, the Club members also compose and perform skits and excerpts reflecting the thoughts and feelings of the people. Although there is no remuneration, we still put our love into each play, each excerpt, each song, contributing to the propaganda of political tasks in the locality.

As usual, three times a week, the Cheo Art Club of Nhan Cau 1 residential group, Hung Ha town organizes dance and singing practice for Cheo melodies. The singing is not yet smooth, the rhythm is not yet proficient, but each member "burns" with passion.

Ms. Pham Thi Tam, a member of the club, said: Regardless of sunny or rainy days, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. we come together at the cultural house to immerse ourselves in the melodies. With enthusiasm and perseverance in practicing, over time, from people who only knew a few Cheo melodies, we can now sing many Cheo melodies, including ancient Cheo melodies.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Head of the Cheo Art Club of Nhan Cau 1 residential group, said: There is no need to be fussy, with silk pants, the shirts, drums and clappers to be able to perform, we sing and dance Cheo anytime, anywhere, for us, anywhere can be a stage. That is why, although newly established, our club has nearly 50 members. Those who know how to dance teach those who don't know, and guide each other to practice very enthusiastically. We want to preserve good traditional values for future generations.

Duyen Hai commune's rowing art club is practicing enthusiastically.

Up to now, the whole district has 35 Cheo art clubs, each club has from 25 to 40 members. Mr. Dinh Ba Khai, Vice Chairman of Hung Ha District People's Committee said: To improve the efficiency of activities, we have directed the District Culture and Sports Center to coordinate with units to open 3 training courses to improve professional skills for those who love traditional Cheo art such as: Cheo art teaching class in Tan Le commune; Cheo art teaching training for general managers, music teachers of primary, secondary and high schools in the area and develop a program to organize exchanges between Cheo art clubs in the district in the coming time. In addition, the district regularly organizes competitions and mass art performances to meet the needs of enjoying culture and art, improving the spiritual life of the people; directs localities to promote the construction of Cheo art clubs. At the same time, mobilize social resources to support funds for clubs to purchase equipment for dancing and singing. Each club member must improve their singing quality and performance skills through regular practice, accompanied by the sound of instruments, drum beats, and clappers, etc., thereby building a club performance program that ensures stability and flexibility in serving local programs and events.

In recent times, members of the Cheo Art Club in the district have not only been typical in maintaining and preserving traditional values in the locality but also factors in preserving the "village tradition" amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. Hopefully, the Cheo Art Club model in Hung Ha district will be increasingly replicated to preserve the identity of the countryside.