Teaching folk art of the K'ho people in Dong Giang

BTO-On the morning of November 13, the Provincial Museum coordinated with the People's Committee of Dong Giang commune to open a class to teach folk songs, dances, and music of the K'ho ethnic group in Dong Giang commune (Ham Thuan Bac).

Delegates and students attended the opening ceremony of the class.

The class had 20 students, taught and instructed by 5 local artisans. The class lasted from November 13 to 22. This is part of the project "Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development" under the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period, implemented in the province.

*Folk dances of the K'ho people in Dong Giang*

Mr. Tran Xuan Phong - Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum said: Folk songs, folk dances, and folk music are considered unique and important forms of folk performing arts, and are indispensable spiritual food in the spiritual life and daily activities of ethnic minorities in general and the K'ho people in particular. From ancient times to the present, folk songs, folk dances, and folk music have been closely associated with rituals, festivals, religious activities, weddings, and funerals of families, clans, and the K'ho community.

The folk songs, dances and music of the K'ho people in Dong Giang were very rich and unique in the past. However, like other ethnic groups, the folk performing arts of the K'ho people were passed down from generation to generation mainly by word of mouth and performance practice in the community. Over time, due to changes in living conditions and production methods; the process of contact and exchange with other ethnic groups and the lack of proper attention in preserving and passing on folk performing arts between generations of artisans, ancestors to the next generation, many folk songs, dances and music of the K'ho people have been forgotten and gradually lost over time. Especially, today's young generation rarely knows the folk songs, dances and music of their people.

The Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum hopes that after completing the training course, the artisans and students will continue to practice and learn the folk songs, dances, and music passed down by their grandparents and ancestors.