Mr. Sa Van Cam guides people how to read ancient Tay script.
In a stilt house imbued with the national cultural identity, Sa Van Cam enthusiastically instructs the elders in Chieng Cang hamlet, Muong Chieng commune (Da Bac) how to read ancient Tay script. Over 70% of his hometown Muong Chieng commune is Tay ethnic group, but very few people know how to read and write ancient Tay script. Even the ability to listen and speak Tay language has gradually faded over the years. Devoting all his heart to learning, restoring and teaching the soul of his ethnic culture, the "sweet fruit" that Cam has achieved so far is the model of "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ancient Tay script", Tay script teaching classes regardless of age, invisible medals awarded to him by the local people, and a strong joint effort to spread the message: Tay people must know Tay script.
"The Tay script has been preserved and passed down by our ancestors, but over time, the number of people who can read and write the Tay script is decreasing, especially among the younger generation. If we don't do it, who will?" - Mr. Cam wondered.
With his dedication and perseverance, from 2010 to now, he has organized 7 ancient Tay script classes, attracting over 200 students in Muong Chieng commune and neighboring communes. The model of "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ancient Tay script" that he built is not only a place to learn, but also a space for community cultural activities - a place where people share the language, customs and characteristics of the Tay ethnic group.
In recognition of Mr. Sa Van Cam's contributions, in 2024, the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province recognized his model of "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ancient Tay script" as a typical example at the provincial level in the field of culture. This is both a worthy reward and a valuable affirmation of the efforts to preserve cultural identity in modern life.
Not only Mr. Cam, the journey to preserve the writing and identity of the Tay people in Da Bac also marked the footsteps of Meritorious Artisan Luong Duc Chom, affectionately called "Teacher Chom" by the people of Trung Thanh commune. After nearly 30 years of perseverance on the journey to restore the ancient Tay script, Teacher Chom has become a living symbol of love for national culture.
Regardless of the sun, rain, or age, he traveled through many villages, met with elders, and recorded every word, song, and folk tune of the Tay people. The result was a valuable archive: nearly 300 ancient books were collected and transcribed; 1,500 proverbs, folk songs, and folk songs were recorded and translated; dozens of folk tunes and traditional musical instruments were restored such as panpipes, mouth harps, bamboo flutes, etc. In particular, Mr. Chom mobilized people to preserve good customs and practices, and further enrich the unique traditional cultural features of the Tay people.
Not only has he been successful in translating and transcribing many ancient books into the Tay language, over the years, Meritorious Artisan Luong Duc Chom has also devoted much effort to teaching the Tay language in the community. His efforts to "sow" the language began in the 90s and have continued to this day. To him, the ancient Tay language is not only a language, but also a sacred bridge connecting the younger generation with national traditions. His Tay language classes have spread national pride, arousing the awareness of preserving culture in each person.
He shared: I teach my children and the villagers to read and write Tay so that they can understand and appreciate the cultural values of our people. From the written language, they will know how to sing Tay songs, dance Tay dances, apply customary laws and practices toeducate their children and grandchildren in the family and clan, and maintain good traditional practices in weddings, funerals and other spiritual ceremonies... This has contributed to preserving and promoting the good values of Tay ethnic culture.
Thanks to dedicated individuals like Mr. Chom and Mr. Cam, the ancient Tay script - "the soul of the nation" - is no longer a distant memory in the books passed down by our ancestors, but is "reviving" every day through community classes in Da Bac. From the initial seeds of writing, the movement to learn and preserve the Tay script has now become a community cultural movement in many communes in Da Bac district. Night classes in stilt houses, cultural activities between generations... are contributing to lighting up the belief in a future where cultural identity is not forgotten but is honored and developed.
With their simple yet resilient actions, the Tay Da Bac people are continuing to write the story of perseverance, solidarity and national pride. These are beautiful stories - not only for today, but also to pass on to future generations.
Khanh An
Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/16/202428/Nguoi-Tay-Da-Bac-giu-gin-hon-cot-cua-dan-toc.htm
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