Then dance in the heart of the Tay people

Preserving and promoting traditional culture is the way for many ethnic communities to preserve their roots and nurture their identity in modern life. For the Tay people in Van Chan commune, the Then dance, the Tinh lute, and the unique traditional cultural features that are closely associated with the memories of their ancestors are revived and preserved in the activities of the Then Tay Dance Club in Thac Vac village. From these dances, the love for Tay culture is increasingly spread, fostering pride and uniting the community.

Following a small winding road between green rice fields, we arrived at Thac Vac village, where the gentle sound of the Tinh zither echoed from a small stilt house in the corner of the village. There, a couple of times a month, the Tay people gather together to preserve the memories of their ancestors.

Right at the foot of the floor, Tay women wearing indigo shirts and neatly wrapped black scarves, move rhythmically to the sound of the zither. Their hands open and close gently, as gently as birds soaring in the air.

Looking at the members passionately practicing dancing and singing, her eyes shining with joy, Ms. Nguyen Thi Van - Head of the Then Tay Dance Club in Thac Vac village slowly said: As a Tay, when I was little, I still heard my mother and grandmother sing lullabies with the Nom melody. Perhaps from then on, the love for the ethnic culture gradually seeped into my heart, making me passionate. For the Tay, without the sound of the Tinh lute, the Then dance, and the Khap Nom lyrics, it would be like lacking a soul. In the past, almost every house in the village had someone who knew how to sing Then, how to play the Tinh lute. Every holiday, the Then dance was bustling. But then, the young generation was busy studying, working far away, not having much time to connect with the village and its original culture. That worry kept urging us to do something before it was too late.

From that wish, the Thac Vac village Then Dance Club was born. Initially, there were only a few members, who were middle-aged women in the village. Some contributed their time and effort, those who had a Tinh instrument brought their instrument, those who knew a Then dance taught it. Just like that, from simple practice sessions, the club gradually became a place for people to express their love for Tay culture.

Up to now, the Club has 20 members who regularly participate in activities with the elderly and children coming to participate whenever they have the opportunity. Some sing loudly, others are passionate about the dance, and children chatter along with their grandmothers and mothers, watching and learning the graceful movements. The club's living space is therefore always bustling, warm, filled with traditional sounds, imbued with the love of the village and neighborhood.

In the bustling atmosphere, the sound of the đàn tính resounded, deep and gentle, as if sending the soul into the steps, making the dance more graceful. The person keeping the rhythm for the whole activity was Mr. Ha Van Du. He was over sixty years old, his hands were veined and hardened by the years, but when placed on the strings, they were unusually soft. Each of his fingers plucked gently, the sound spread far and wide, echoing.

Gently holding the instrument, Mr. Du slowly shared: For the Tay people, the Tinh instrument is both a musical instrument to accompany Then singing and the voice and soul of the village. Each sound of the instrument is a time for descendants to be reminded of their roots and ancestors.

In the sound of the Tinh lute, one can hear the joy of the festival, the sadness of farewell, and the desire for a prosperous and peaceful life. The Tinh lute and Then singing are therefore not simply for entertainment, but are the place where the Tay people confide their thoughts, strengthen the bonds of village friendship, and nurture their faith in life. Even though time may change, as long as the Tinh lute and Then melodies still resonate, the soul of the Tay people will remain forever.

Having said that, he raised his hand and strummed a few more notes, the long, lingering sound blending with the sisters' Khap Nom singing, creating a soulful yet warm Then melody.

When the sound of the adults' instruments and singing stopped, the space was filled with laughter and the bustling footsteps of children practicing the dance. Here, if the elderly are the source, then the young are the continuation so that the Then dance in particular and the traditional culture of the Tay people in general are not broken. In the Club, many children are only in primary school or even kindergarten but have gradually become familiar with the graceful hand movements and soft gait of Then dance.

Ha Thi Oanh, 10 years old, often follows her grandmother to the Then dance club and says: At first, I just followed my grandmother to watch. I found Then dance difficult, very different from modern dances, but over time, I practiced, and the more I practiced, the more fascinated I became. Every time I dance, I feel closer to my village and understand more about my ethnic traditions.

It is the participation of the younger generation that has breathed new life into the Club. Then melodies, which are traditionally associated with rituals, now resound in everyday life, becoming a connecting thread for the community. However, in the midst of this joyful atmosphere, the story of cultural preservation is still a concern.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van - Club Director shared: Fewer and fewer people know how to play the Tinh lute and sing Then ancient songs, all of which rely mainly on memory and word of mouth. If not preserved in time, it will be difficult to avoid oblivion. Therefore, the Club has recorded audio and video to preserve them, while promoting and encouraging more students to participate.

The local government has also paid attention, including Then dance in typical cultural activities, encouraging schools to organize exchanges so that students can access it early. As long as the sound of the instrument still resonates, the dance still rhythmically, the Tay soul will remain forever.

Leaving Thac Vac, our footsteps seemed to gently drift along with the graceful rhythm of the traditional Tay culture. In the middle of the windy mountains and forests, the Then melody still lives, soft and enduring, like a stream passing through the rocks, silently flowing from generation to generation, so that the Tay soul always exists in the heart of each person.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/dieu-mua-then-trong-trai-tim-nguoi-tay-post882061.html