With an aim to preserve traditional culture of Ê Đê and Raglai ethnic people, a gong club has been established and operated effectively in Ninh Tay Commune, Ninh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province for three years.

With an aim to preserve traditional culture of Ê Đê and Raglai ethnic people, a gong club has been established and operated effectively in Ninh Tay Commune, Ninh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province for three years.

Preserving traditional culture

Gongs, cast in bronze, an alloy of copper, zinc and lead, are used as a musical instrument mostly in mountainous areas by ethnic minority people. Ninh Tay is a commune where many ethnics live. Most of them are Ê Đê and Raglai who treasure gongs as a cultural character. In events like weddings, funerals or worships, they play gongs to express their affections. However, fewer and fewer people can play this instrument.

In order to preserve and develop the traditional instrument in Ninh Tay, War Veteran Association of the commune since 2009 has set up a gong club with about 20 members who are Ê Đê and Raglai people.

Playing gongs in a worship event in Ninh Tay Commune.

“Ninh Tay now only has 5 sets of gongs, 4 of which belong to Ê Đê and the other are of Raglai. Most people who can play this instrument are old. The gong club gathers them for activities and performances to preserve this original instrument”, said Pham Van Ngoan – chairman of the War Veteran Association of the commune and the club.

With the deep love for the musical instrument, the gong club often perform local worship events and festivals. Along with gongs, the members can play flute and monochord to create grand harmony.

“I have joined the club for 3 years. I feel very happy when playing gongs”, a 58-year-old member named Y Quap said.

Descending to young generation

With a desire to maintain the cultural character for young Ê Đê and Raglai people, the founder and head of the club Ngoan, and its members have coordinated with the commune Youth Union to teach young people to play gongs and some other musical instruments.

“Young people will succeed us to preserve our cultural character, so we have chosen some confidential people to teach them how to play gongs. It takes them 2 – 3 years to master this musical instrument”, Ngoan said.

Additionally, the club has facilitated young players to join performances. Y Tuan, Youth Union Secretary of Buon Dung Hamlet, said, “Thanks to the elder people of the gong club, now I’ve known how to play gongs well. Significantly, our generation have understood the responsibility to protect our traditional culture.”

With such great efforts, gongs and their cultural values will be conserved and upheld.

T.T