August 14, 2022 | 19:47 (GMT+7)
“Soul keeping” in Gia Lai
PANO - For the majority of people of the Gia Rai, Ba Na ethnic groups in Gia Lai province, gongs are indispensable in all rituals, from celebrating new rice, praying for health, for good crops, welcoming a newborn to saying goodbye to a human life.
Therefore, despite many difficulties and hardships in life, local people are still exerting all-out efforts to preserve the gong culture. They believe that gongs are the "soul" of the land, a measure of prosperity and wealth.
The People’s Army Newspaper would like to introduce several photos of local people’s efforts of preserving gong culture.
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Elderly Ro Cham Nha, a prestigious member of Mrong Yo 1 village, Ia Ka commune, Chu Pah district, tell his grandson about gongs. |
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Elderly Ro Cham Nha and his grandson Ro Cham Tu adjust the gong. |
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Everyone in the Central Highlands can play the gong. However, just few people know how to adjust gongs because it is a difficult job. In order to adjust the gong, the tuner must be gifted, elite, and especially skillful and industrious. |
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“The cultural space of Central Highlands gongs” is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of mankind. Many localities have developed plans and carried out activities to preserve and bring into play the special value of the heritage. |
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Ba Na ethnic artisans in Mo Hra village, Kong Long Khong commune, Kbang district play gongs to welcome the new rice crop. |
Translated by Song Anh