The Xo Dang people in Kon Tum actively preserve and conserve gong culture.

On November 28, the People's Committee of Tu Mo Rong district held the opening ceremony of the 2nd Gong and Xoang Competition of the Xo Dang ethnic group in Tu Mo Rong district in 2024 at the district's Central Square.

The contest is part of a series of events organized by Tu Mo Rong district, in response to the 5th Culture - Tourism Week and the 2nd Kon Tum Gong and Xoang Festival of Ethnic Minorities in 2024, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the district's establishment.

Under the traditional communal house roof, the Xo Dang people enthusiastically participate in the Gong and Xoang Competition.

Accordingly, the gong and xoang competition attracted 11 teams from 11 communes in the district to participate. Each team has about 25 people, including many different ages. At the competition, the 11 teams will have 35 minutes to perform. The teams will explain the traditional beauty of the Xo Dang people; the policies of self-training and teaching gongs and the achievements in preserving gong culture that the locality has achieved in the past year.

In addition, the teams will recreate excerpts of typical traditional rituals and festivals imbued with the identity and life of the Xo Dang people; perform gong songs associated with xoang dance; perform traditional folk songs; and tune gongs.

The 2nd Gong and Xoang Competition of the Xo Dang ethnic group in Tu Mo Rong district in 2024 will take place over 2 days (November 28-29).

Mr. Vo Trung Manh - Chairman of Tu Mo Rong District People's Committee said: "In the area, the percentage of Xo Dang ethnic people accounts for 95%. This is an extremely unique and valuable cultural treasure. In the development orientation, Tu Mo Rong district identifies tourism as one of the development directions to help people escape poverty sustainably. To develop tourism, it is imperative to preserve the culture of the Xo Dang ethnic group.

Accordingly, in recent years, the district has had many policies to preserve the gong culture of the Xo Dang people such as giving gongs to villages; teaching gong playing and tuning for free; bringing gongs to schools; organizing competitions to exchange and learn from each other. From the time gongs were facing the risk of being lost, there is now a talented young generation to inherit them; tourist attractions attract visitors, the Xo Dang people have more income.

Teams performing at the competition

According to Mr. Manh, the special point of the second gong and xoang competition is that in one team, there are many ages participating, from children to adults. They unite and enthusiastically perform gongs, xoang dances, and folk songs with strong national identity. The performances focus on love for the homeland, love for the village; national pride; and praise for the country's development.

“This is a good sign, because Xo Dang culture has spread strongly in the community, proving that the cultural preservation policies implemented by the locality have brought positive results. In the coming time, Tu Mo Rong district will continue to focus resources on implementing solutions to promote Xo Dang culture, helping the unique culture in the revolutionary land to always be preserved and widely developed,” Mr. Manh added.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-xo-dang-o-kon-tum-gin-giu-bao-ton-van-hoa-cong-chieng-post323333.html