When the sound of instruments awakens the value of tradition

Having travelled across many regions, met many people, and witnessed numerous beautiful stories about culture and education, perhaps I was most deeply and gently touched by the story of a traditional musical instrument class at Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities in Phu Nghia commune, Dong Nai province. There, in a space that might seem filled only with the sounds of wind and forest birds, the five-tone melodies of the Khmer people and the resonant gongs of the S’tieng people echo, awakening a deep love for traditional cultural values.

Teacher Le Van Cong of Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities guides students in the Music Club as they explore Khmer five-tone musical instruments

The musical space at Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities is a place not only for imparting knowledge but also for kindling a love for traditional music. That love is embodied in the sounds of gongs and in the dignified five-tone musical instrument set displayed in the school’s cultural hall.

A special class in a remote school

Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life and the allure of contemporary music, the school’s musical space brings students closer to the sounds of the past.

Le Van Cong, a music teacher at the school, shared: “At first, I simply wanted students to have a joyful experience during their boarding life away from home. Through practicing musical instruments, I hoped they would develop patience and persistence; by working together to complete a piece, they would learn discipline and mutual respect. And when the music is complete, they will become familiar with their ethnic melodies, fostering pride and a sense of responsibility to preserve and promote their traditional culture.”

“Music is not only a subject but also a powerful educational tool for preserving cultural identity. Even if not all students become professional artists, I believe they will all grow into individuals who appreciate the cultural values of their own communities.”

Teacher LE VAN CONG, Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities

When first introduced to traditional instruments, many students were hesitant; some had never seen or touched them before. Teacher Cong spent considerable time studying each instrument in detail to convey its spirit. Challenges did not discourage him; instead, they deepened his happiness as he witnessed the students’ growing enthusiasm.

Tuong Thi Lan, a Khmer student in class 12B at Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities, said: “By joining the class, I feel a deep connection with the music and culture of Vietnam and a sense of pride. At first, I thought the five-tone musical instruments were simply unusual musical tools, but after being taught by teacher Cong, I realized that their sounds are truly the voice of my people’s hearts.”

Dieu So Han, a Stieng student in class 12, shared similar feelings: “Through learning the five-tone musical instruments, I have not only known how to play the instruments but have also developed a deeper love for music and pride in my ethnic community’s cultural heritage. Through studying the five-tone music, I feel closer to my culture and more connected with friends and teachers.”

The traditional instrument performances of the teachers and students have not only provided them with valuable experience, but have also recently reached major local events. Teacher Cong will never forget the students' radiant eyes filled with pride as they received applause and high awards at competitions. For teacher Cong, those were not just awards but a recognition of their hard work and sweat poured into every effort, and more importantly, an affirmation that ethnic culture still holds a cherished and respected place within the flow of modern life.

“After the initial sense of unfamiliarity, the students became excited and eager, as though discovering something both new and familiar. Their eyes lit up when they first touched the gongs or heard the unique sounds of the five-tone musical instruments as if the echoes of ancient times had returned. My greatest joy is seeing them not only play but confidently perform, even adapting modern songs to traditional instruments,” teacher Cong shared.

Continuing the journey of preserving heritage

Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities currently has around 500 students from 16 ethnic groups, including S’tieng, Tay, Nung, and Hoa. Its 40-square-metre music space displays and uses two sets of Khmer five-tone musical instruments, one gong set, one S’tieng gong set, Tay ethnic minority’s Tinh musical instrument, and Western instruments such as piano, guitar, and violin. To instill the students’ pride in their rich cultural identity, the school not only teaches traditional music but also encourages students to wear ethnic costumes and motivates teachers to learn the Stieng language, integrating these practices into the school’s regulations.

A display of Khmer musical instruments at the 2024 Cultural and Sports Festival for Ethnic Minorities, organised by Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities.

“When we do not love ourselves, we cannot truly love anything else. Students must first love their own costumes, language, lullabies, and the sounds of gongs and the five-tone musical instruments. Only then can they appreciate their own traditions and respect the identities of their classmates from other ethnic groups. From there, they can love their homeland completely. From that love, they know how to live together, how to be tolerant, how to love each other, how to be useful people in the boarding environment,” emphasized Nguyen The Hung, Principal of the school.

In an educational environment, every action must be directed towards students. At Bu Gia Map Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities, the school’s cultural space has proved highly effective thanks to its attention to facilities, and its regular participation in annual cultural and sports festivals for ethnic minorities, and the effective organisation of ethnic music club activities. Through this space, the school hopes that each student will be a propagandist, clearly understanding the good and beauty of their ethnic cultural identity.

Tran Thi Xuan Dieu, a student from class 12A, expressed: “Joining the five-tone musical instrument class is not just about learning music but about learning to respect and preserve our nation’s diverse cultural identity. Each instrumental sound that resonates makes me feel as if I am living within my culture, touching something sacred and experiencing the connection between people through music. It serves as a bridge linking our generation with the roots of our people. Through it, I sense the closeness and sacredness in every sound. I feel like I have been given more faith and responsibility. It is not only about preserving music but also safeguarding the soul of national culture in today's life."

In a remote area, there exists a cultural space that has quietly preserved traditional values, now at risk of fading away. The teachers here do more than instruct music; they teach their students how to love, appreciate, and preserve their own identity. These students are not only inheritors, but also messengers carrying the sounds and the very soul of their people far beyond their homeland.

By Phuong Dung - Translated by Thuc Oanh, Thu Ha