Xoan singing, also known as Khuc mon dinh (singing at the communal house gate), is a form of worshipping the gods. Singing at the communal house gate is a type of folk song, ritual and custom; it is an art form that combines many elements of musical instruments, singing and dancing to serve the religious needs of the community. Xoan singing originated from ancient villages located in the center of the capital Van Lang during the time of King Hung, then spread to neighboring areas, including Luong Son commune, Yen Lap district.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi (middle) - Head of Luong Son Xoan Singing Club teaches ancient Xoan melodies to members.
The Luong Son Xoan Singing Club has more than 20 members who are Muong ethnic people, the oldest of whom is nearly 80 years old. Despite the difficulties in maintaining, teaching and practicing Xoan singing, the members are still persistent in preserving and spreading this intangible cultural heritage of humanity to the public. Xoan singing artist Nguyen Thi Hoi, 68 years old - Head of the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club, is always active in studying, performing and teaching Xoan singing. 12 years ago, Ms. Hoi attended a class on Xoan singing, and since then has been diligently practicing to improve her singing techniques and performance skills, actively teaching members of local Xoan singing clubs.
With a heavy heart for the songs passed down from their ancestors, in order to have funds for activities, the club members contribute funds and lend them out, taking interest to cover living expenses. Every time they are invited to perform, the members spend their own money to prepare costumes, props, scripts... Thanks to people who love and persevere with cultural heritage like Mrs. Hoi, Xoan singing in Luong Son has been passed down through many generations, becoming the pride of Luong Son people today.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi, Head of the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club, said: “Joining the Xoan Singing Club helps us have more joy in our old age. Despite our advanced age, the members are still enthusiastic about practicing and performing ancient Xoan songs. In order to prevent the melodies from being lost, the members of the Club and I often take advantage of our free time to teach Xoan melodies and songs to our children and grandchildren in the family.”
The members, despite their age, still practice enthusiastically.
The artisans are all elderly, so teaching the younger generation is difficult because young people are no longer interested in traditional folk songs. What Mrs. Hoi finds most sad is that at first, many people loved and joined the club, but then gradually dropped out. When the club was first established, there were more than 40 members, now there are only 20, all of whom are elderly. However, the women and mothers have not given up, gathering every day and every week for club activities with the hope of teaching the next generations to love Xoan melodies more.
Ms. Ha Thi Hong Ha - President of the Women's Union of Luong Son commune said: "Over the past years, in order to preserve and maintain the Xoan singing heritage, artisans from the clubs have regularly participated in activities. With their enthusiasm and passion for Xoan melodies, the artisans have not been afraid of difficulties to maintain their activities. In particular, the artisans and Xoan singing core in Luong Son are mainly Muong ethnic people. The Women's Union of the commune has promoted Xoan singing and dancing to the people, and sent experienced artisans to participate in training courses organized by higher-level departments. The Xoan singing club of Luong Son commune has actively participated in cultural exchange programs in the commune and district.
In the coming time, the Commune Women's Union will continue to coordinate with the sectors and mass organizations of the commune to promote Xoan singing to all people. Coordinate with artisans to teach Xoan singing to young people in the area. At the same time, advise the Commune People's Committee to support operating costs.
With practical activities in recent times, Luong Son Xoan Singing Club has contributed to the good implementation of the work of preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development under Project 6 of the Target Program for Socio-economic Development in Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2030.
An Khe
Source: https://baophutho.vn/khuc-mon-dinh-tren-dat-rung-luong-son-223742.htm
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