Gongs keep ringing in Central Highlands

Successive gong artisans

The sound of gongs has long been an indispensable catalyst for the spiritual life of ethnic minority communities. However, with the passing of time, many rituals and customs have been fading away and younger generations have little chance to learn the gong culture.

Artisans seek to preserve gong sound for future generations

Elite artisan H'San Eban, an 80-year-old resident of Buon Trap Town in Krong Ana District, is now the only female artist who plays the drum leading the gong beats of Dak Lak Province. She is concerned about finding successors who can preserve and promote the value of gong culture.

About seven years ago, when members of her gong team became too old to perform, they went to every village household that had daughters to persuade the girls to join the ensemble. The gong training organized by the Dak Lak provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has already resulted in the formation of two young female gong teams: one of kids aged from 9-13, and another of older women.

After teaching the kids for two months, artisan H’San proudly said, “With this team of very young gong players, the sound of Jho gongs is expected to remain for generations to come.”

In addition to training, Dak Lak cultural sector also presented the local gong team with one set of Jho gongs and 30 traditional costumes, helping motivate the next generations of players.

Elite artisan H'San Eban (fourth from left) teaches the Jho gongs to younger generations in the village

From legacy to property

Former Deputy Director of Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Gia Duan said that among five Central Highlands provinces, Dak Lak is the only one that has five provincial People's Council’s resolutions on preserving and promoting gong playing, demonstrating the province’s interest in traditional culture. Its ultimate is for players to feel ownership over the traditional culture and dedication to its continuity.

“When an ethnic minority community in a village or commune regularly organizes cultural activities and uses gongs to perform rituals and ceremonies, it means that gongs are indispensable in their lives, and the preservation and promotion of the culture achieve the highest results,” Duan said.

Y Nem Ong from Lak District’s Dak Phoi Commune expressed his joy at teaching a gong class. He said the young players are enthusiastic and are trained methodically so that within two months, they can put on two basic gong performances of the M'nong Gar minority.

“With more instruments, our team now can practice more often. We hope that the young gong team will receive further support to perform and contribute more to preserving our traditional culture,” Ong said.