The northeastern province of Phu Tho has devised measures to preserve
its cultural assets in the long run, including rituals worshipping the
Hung Kings and “xoan” singing.
According to historians, no
country in the world has rituals quite like Vietnam’s worshipping of
national ancestors. The Vietnamese have believed for generations that
the Hung Kings are the founders and ancestors of the nation. As a
result, worshipping them is a unique cultural ritual which has been
recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
In
the near future, the province will gather information and feedback on
all its cultural heritages, and come up with a preservation plan of
action for each one.
The status of xoan singing, a
traditional art form also included in UNESCO’s list of intangible
cultural heritage in need of urgent protection, has prompted various
authorities to take action to ensure its continued existence.
This year, master xoan singers will pass their skills on to young
learners, especially school teachers, so they can in turn introduce it
in local schools, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Ba Khiem said.
Between 2015
and 2020, the department will survey and analyse the state of xoan
singing in the locality, and, based on this, will take all necessary
actions.
As one of the oldest forms of Vietnamese performing
arts, xoan singing is believed to have been developed during the reign
of the Hung Kings (2890 BC to 250 BC). Traditionally, singers from xoan
guilds performed songs in sacred spaces, such as temples, shrines and
communal houses during spring festivals.
There are three kinds
of xoan singing, including songs of worship for Hung Kings and village
guardian spirits; ritual songs for abundant crops, health and good luck;
and festival songs, with villagers alternating male and female verses
in a form of courtship. The singing is accompanied by dance and musical
instruments, such as clappers and drums.
Phu Tho is home to
over 1,370 relic sites and 260 festivals, many of which have become
unique spiritual symbols, such as the festival of Hung Kings and Dao Xa
elephant festival. Numerous intangible heritages, such as Moi and Chuong
dance, originate here.-VNA