Artist Lu Mi Thao

Early autumn morning, the weather in the highlands of Quan Ba ​​is a bit chilly. The morning sunlight penetrates through the gaps between the leaves, illuminating the hillsides, blending with the scent of ripe rice, making it even more fragrant and poetic. In that space, I suddenly heard the gentle, passionate sound of the Mong flute, sometimes low, sometimes high, echoing throughout the mountains and forests. Following the sound of the flute, I went to the house of Mr. Lu Mi Thao, born in 1969 in Lo Thang 2 village, Thai An commune, Quan Ba ​​district, Ha Giang province. Mr. Thao is known as one of the typical artisans, a prestigious person of Quan Ba ​​district, he has devoted his life to preserving the flute, a unique traditional musical instrument of the Mong ethnic group.

In a conversation with us, artisan Lu Mi Thao shared: “The sound of the panpipe is closely associated with the life and culture of the Mong people. From ancient times until now, only men have performed solo panpipes. Elderly people like us, in the past, all knew how to make Mong panpipes.”

Whoever is good at making beautiful panpipes and whose sound resonates far and wide is secretly admired and remembered by many girls in the area. Thanks to the guidance of the elders in the village, I soon learned how to dance and play dozens of panpipe songs fluently since I was 15 years old. A year later, thanks to the guidance of the artisans, plus my diligence in learning, I learned how to make panpipes.

Artisan Lu Mi Thao (left) introduces the panpipe he made.

The Hmong panpipe is unique in its shape, structure and sound-making function. Normally, the panpipe has 6 tubes made from wild bamboo mounted on a hollowed-out wooden gourd. The only part made of metal is the reed. The gourd is usually made from stone pine or Kim giao wood... From the stage of finding raw materials, processing to crafting, every stage requires meticulousness and patience. The most important thing is to adjust so that the sound resonates and has soul, then the panpipe will meet the standard.

Through the conversation with Mr. Thao, it is known that his panpipes have many types, different lengths, depending on the size, with prices ranging from 1.5 - 5 million VND/piece. On average, it takes Mr. Thao about 2 days to complete a panpipe, and he makes about 100 panpipes each year. The panpipes that Mr. Thao makes do not need to be sold at the market, but customers come to his house to order, mainly selling to the Mong people in the district and the Northwestern provinces. Making Mong panpipes has helped improve Mr. Thao's family's income, giving them money to build a solid house, and a more fulfilling life.

Along with crafting, artisan Thao is also a very good player and dancer of the Mong flute. He is invited to participate in the district's mass art performances, local cultural activities or flute competitions held in the region. Now, with tired legs and gray hair, artisan Lu Mi Thao is still trying to pass on his passion with basic knowledge, skills, experience in playing and dancing the flute and his way of making the flute to many young people in the village, commune as well as young people in neighboring districts and provinces.

Mr. Lu Mi Thao confided: “I feel very happy, because the khen not only brings income but also preserves the cultural identity of my hometown. In addition, I also actively teach the profession of making and playing khen for free to relatives and young people in and outside the locality who want to learn. In the past time, I have taught 30 young people in the commune to learn the profession, of which 10 young people have earned money from making and selling Mong khen, many of whom can perform and participate in local festivals and cultural performances.”

Comrade Hang Mi Ngoc, Chairman of Thai An Commune People's Committee said: "With 98% of the population being Mong ethnic people, in order to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of the Mong ethnic group in the area, the Commune People's Committee is encouraging and supporting Mr. Lu Mi Thao to teach the techniques of blowing, performing and making panpipes to the younger generation. Mr. Thao has been an artisan and a prestigious person in Quan Ba ​​district since 2012. In addition to maintaining and developing the craft of making Mong panpipes, he also actively encourages people to develop the economy, eliminate bad customs, build a civilized lifestyle, and at the same time introduce and promote the unique cultural values ​​of the people of Thai An commune to friends and tourists near and far."

Farewell to artist Lu Mi Thao - the keeper of the "soul" of the Mong flute, believing that his efforts will keep the rhythm of the flute forever resounding with the melodies of the mountains and forests, to connect souls, blending people with nature. And those melodies also awaken the hearts of countless tourists who have enjoyed and will enjoy, explore the cultural identity of the Mong people when coming to Dong Van Stone Plateau.

Nguyen Dieu/Ha Giang Newspaper

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nghe-nhan-lu-mi-thao-nguoi-giu-hon-khen-mong-221051.htm