The northeastern province of Phu Tho has devised measures to preserveits cultural assets in the long run, including rituals worshipping theHung Kings and “xoan” singing.
According to historians, nocountry in the world has rituals quite like Vietnam’s worshipping ofnational ancestors. The Vietnamese have believed for generations thatthe Hung Kings are the founders and ancestors of the nation. As aresult, worshipping them is a unique cultural ritual which has beenrecognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Inthe near future, the province will gather information and feedback onall its cultural heritages, and come up with a preservation plan ofaction for each one.
The status of xoan singing, atraditional art form also included in UNESCO’s list of intangiblecultural heritage in need of urgent protection, has prompted variousauthorities to take action to ensure its continued existence.
This year, master xoan singers will pass their skills on to younglearners, especially school teachers, so they can in turn introduce itin local schools, Deputy Director of the provincial Department ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Pham Ba Khiem said.
Between 2015and 2020, the department will survey and analyse the state of xoansinging in the locality, and, based on this, will take all necessaryactions.
As one of the oldest forms of Vietnamese performingarts, xoan singing is believed to have been developed during the reignof the Hung Kings (2890 BC to 250 BC). Traditionally, singers from xoanguilds performed songs in sacred spaces, such as temples, shrines andcommunal houses during spring festivals.
There are three kindsof xoan singing, including songs of worship for Hung Kings and villageguardian spirits; ritual songs for abundant crops, health and good luck;and festival songs, with villagers alternating male and female versesin a form of courtship. The singing is accompanied by dance and musicalinstruments, such as clappers and drums.
Phu Tho is home toover 1,370 relic sites and 260 festivals, many of which have becomeunique spiritual symbols, such as the festival of Hung Kings and Dao Xaelephant festival. Numerous intangible heritages, such as Moi and Chuongdance, originate here.-VNA
According to historians, nocountry in the world has rituals quite like Vietnam’s worshipping ofnational ancestors. The Vietnamese have believed for generations thatthe Hung Kings are the founders and ancestors of the nation. As aresult, worshipping them is a unique cultural ritual which has beenrecognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Inthe near future, the province will gather information and feedback onall its cultural heritages, and come up with a preservation plan ofaction for each one.
The status of xoan singing, atraditional art form also included in UNESCO’s list of intangiblecultural heritage in need of urgent protection, has prompted variousauthorities to take action to ensure its continued existence.
This year, master xoan singers will pass their skills on to younglearners, especially school teachers, so they can in turn introduce itin local schools, Deputy Director of the provincial Department ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Pham Ba Khiem said.
Between 2015and 2020, the department will survey and analyse the state of xoansinging in the locality, and, based on this, will take all necessaryactions.
As one of the oldest forms of Vietnamese performingarts, xoan singing is believed to have been developed during the reignof the Hung Kings (2890 BC to 250 BC). Traditionally, singers from xoanguilds performed songs in sacred spaces, such as temples, shrines andcommunal houses during spring festivals.
There are three kindsof xoan singing, including songs of worship for Hung Kings and villageguardian spirits; ritual songs for abundant crops, health and good luck;and festival songs, with villagers alternating male and female versesin a form of courtship. The singing is accompanied by dance and musicalinstruments, such as clappers and drums.
Phu Tho is home toover 1,370 relic sites and 260 festivals, many of which have becomeunique spiritual symbols, such as the festival of Hung Kings and Dao Xaelephant festival. Numerous intangible heritages, such as Moi and Chuongdance, originate here.-VNA
