Tay Ninh has many unique intangible cultural heritages, including Chhay-dam drum dance - a folk art form of the Khmer people in Truong Tay commune, Hoa Thanh town.
Chhay-dam drum dance is closely associated with the traditional culture of the Khmer people, the largest of the 21 ethnic groups residing in Tay Ninh province. According to recorded documents, Chhay-dam drum dance in this land has its own unique features, different from those of some southern provinces. Around 1953, the late Cambodian prince Norodom Sihanouk (1922-2012) presented the Tay Ninh Holy See with a set of Khmer musical instruments, including 3 Chhay-dam drums.
Drums were originally used only to beat the rhythm for worshiping ceremonies at the temple, but later on, drum dancing was gradually combined with dragon and horse dancing and unicorn dancing. Many households in Truong Tay commune and other communes in Hoa Thanh town previously knew how to dance Chhay-dam drums, including Ms. Cao Thi Thu Loan (born in 1983), who is currently the successor of a family with many generations who have "kept the fire" of passion for drum dancing and passed it on to children.
In addition, Mr. Tran Van Xen (born in 1957) in Long Tan hamlet, Long Thanh Bac commune, Hoa Thanh town was recognized as "Excellent Artist" in the folk art performance genre (Chhay-dam drum dance in the festival of Cao Dai Tay Ninh religion).
The number of Chhay-dam drums in Tay Ninh is increasingly equipped, the drum dance has also become more diverse, modified to be more suitable. Drum dance is performed on special occasions such as the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, the Sen Dolta ancestor worship ceremony...
Heritage Magazine
Comment (0)