Confession of the Great Forest

Dong Nai is recognized as a land where the cultures of the Southeastern region and the Central Highlands meet. It is home to the S’tieng people, who carry a deep love for their traditional gongs. For the S’tieng, gongs are not merely musical instruments, as they are the breath of the deities, the voice of earth and sky, inseparable from sacred rituals that range from new rice ceremonies and house blessings to weddings.

The Gong Ensemble of Bu Gia Map Boarding Junior and Senior High School for Ethnic Minorities in Dong Nai province prepares to perform at the 2023 Binh Phuoc Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group event.

Today, as the pace of modern life sweeps away many traditional values, it is profoundly moving to learn about a young man who has quietly been “keeping the flame alive” for his ethnic identity. That young man is Dieu Hai, born in 2001, residing in group 1, hamlet 23 Lon, Tan Quan commune, Dong Nai province. In his heart, the sound of S’tieng gongs still echoes with pride.

Keeping S’tieng culture shining bright

Dieu Hai was discovered by choreographer Ha Nhung during her work restoring the local Rain-Praying Festival.

“When Hai was performing the stork dance, serving as one of the traditional dances of the S’tieng people, I was amazed. He danced beautifully, exactly in the style of the women of earlier generations. As I learned more, I found out that not only could he dance gracefully, but he could also play drums and gongs, and he is even the creator of handwoven brocade pieces with unique and creative patterns,” choreographer Ha Nhung recalled.

Not stopping at talents that are rarely seen in men, Dieu Hai took the initiative to express to Ha Nhung his desire to contribute to preserving the cultural values of the S’tieng people.

Dieu Hai shared that his journey to gong culture began with deep admiration: “I learned to play the gongs because I have a great passion for the musical instruments of my people. It all came to me naturally. At a family wedding, my grandparents let me try touching the gongs for the first time, and ever since then, their sound has echoed in my mind.”

Although he has never received formal training, Dieu Hai’s love for gongs was strong enough to convince choreographer Ha Nhung to introduce him to the commune’s S’tieng Cultural Club, where he could learn traditional playing techniques.

Dieu Hai is also devoted to the craft of brocade weaving. He shared: Brocade weaving is a traditional handicraft that has long been reserved for S’tieng women. However, witnessing the traditional craft of his people fading into obscurity, he was determined to revive it. He learned to weave from his grandmother, who passed down not only the techniques but also her love for the patterns and colors woven into each piece of brocade.

A new vitality from the gongs

In 2005, the cultural space of Central Highlands gong music was recognized by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” In 2008, it was officially designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This accomplishment was Vietnam’s second intangible cultural heritage to be recognized by UNESCO.

However, in the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, where market-oriented entertainment trends increasingly dominate, the sound of S’tieng gongs has become less common and faces the risk of fading into silence. Passing this art form on to younger generations has become increasingly challenging, as many young people drift away from traditional values and ancient gong melodies.

This concern is not only shared by village elders but also by the broader community and those engaged in cultural preservation efforts across Dong Nai province.

In the journey to preserve the sacred sounds of the S’tieng people, Bu Gia Map Boarding Junior and Senior High School for Ethnic Minorities in Dong Nai province has become a “miniature cultural space” for the gong heritage. Here, the teaching of gong culture goes beyond a mere extracurricular activity as it sparks a flame of aspiration in the hearts of young people.

What gives S’tieng gongs their distinctive character compared to many other ethnic groups is their playing technique. Instead of using hard wooden or soft bamboo mallets, the S’tieng prefer to strike the gong’s surface directly with the right hand while the left hand mutes and interrupts the sound. This technique produces a characteristic resonance, giving the gongs a “bum-bum” echo that is mysteriously vague, free from the harsh clangs and metallic noise of the bronze. It evokes the deep sounds of the great forest, hidden streams, and epic stories.  

Teacher Le Van Cong, a music instructor, has devoted himself to reviving the sound of gongs in schools. To teach students how to play the gong, he spends time conversing and connecting with local artisans. Starting from simple, monotonous gong pieces, he carefully arranges and combines them with a S’tieng folk melody of the same tone, making the lessons and performances more lively and engaging for the students. As the students begin to fall in love with the gong, teacher Cong guides them to appreciate the beauty and artistry of each gong piece, fostering pride in their ethnic culture. For him, teaching gong music is not just about learning how to play; it is also about understanding the communal nature of the instrument. Each student plays a single gong, yet they must harmonize together to create a unified piece, symbolizing solidarity and cohesion.

Since joining the gong class, Thi Xuyen, a 7A student at Bu Gia Map Boarding Junior and Senior High School for Ethnic Minorities, has developed a deep affection for the instrument. Xuyen shared: “Now, every time I hear the sound of the gongs, I feel as if I’m back in the village, at home during a festival, with elders playing the gongs around a large fire. The sound is both majestic and unique, making me love the cultural traditions of my people even more.”

From the warm halls of Bu Gia Map boarding Junior and Senior High School for ethnic minorities, where the sound of gongs resonates daily under teacher Cong’s guidance, to the quiet yet resilient efforts of Dieu Hai, the flame of S’tieng gong culture continues to burn brightly in Dong Nai. Today, the gongs are not only the sound of the past but also the sound of the future, of hope. They stand as a powerful affirmation of ethnic identity and as a heartfelt message from the great forest, conveyed through the hands and minds of the young generation.

By Phuong Dung – Translated by Dang Huyen, Minho