Cultural space of Cong Chieng Highlands

The cultural space of Tay Nguyen gong spread throughout 5 provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong and the owner of this unique type of culture is residents of the Central Highlands: Bana, Xe Dang , Mnong, Coho, Romay, Ede, Giarai . Gongs closely associated with the life of the Central Highlands, are the voice of the spirit, the human soul, to express joy and sadness in life. , in their labor and daily activities.

Cultural space of Cong Chien Highlands - Intangible cultural heritage

Gong is a musical instrument made of copper alloy, sometimes mixed with gold, silver or black bronze. Gong is the type with knob and gong without knob. This instrument has many sizes, diameter from 20cm to 60cm, maximum type from 90cm to 120cm. Gongs can be used alone or in staging, sets of 2 to 12 or 13 units, even from 18 to 20 units.

1. History

The Central Highlands gong is a unique, unique and diverse musical instrument. The gongs of the Central Highlands have a natural sounding ladder as a basis to establish their own sound scales. In particular, each payroll of each ethnic group is composed of a basic 3-tone, 5-tone or 6-syllable scale. However, gongs were originally a polyphonic instrument, besides the basic sound, always accompanied by a few other sub-sounds. So in fact, a set of 6 gongs will give us at least 12 sounds or more. That explains why the sound of gong sounds so full and deep.

In terms of origin, according to some researchers, gongs are "descendants" of rock herds . Before the bronze culture, the ancients had come to look at the stone tools : the stone, the gongs . the bamboo, then the bronze age, the gongs were bronze . From the beginning, gongs were beaten. up to celebrate new rice, down to the field; the expression of faith - is a means of communicating with the supernatural . All festivals in the year, from the ear-blowing ceremony for the newborn to the ceremony of abandoning the grave, the worshiping ceremony of the water trough, the celebration of new rice, the closing ceremony warehouse door, buffalo stabbing ceremony . or in a good listening . must have a sound of gongs as a way to connect people in the same community.

According to the concept of the Central Highlands, behind each gong, gongs are hidden with a god . The older the gong is, the higher the power of the god. Gongs are also valuable assets, symbolizing power and wealth . On festivals, images of people dancing around the sacred fire, the sides of the wine needed in the sound of gongs echo the mountains and forests, giving the Central Highlands a romantic and fanciful space. Gongs therefore contribute to the epics, poems of the Central Highlands culture which are both romantic and powerful.

2. Cultural value

In most ethnic groups, gongs are instruments exclusively for men. That is the case of the ethnic groups such as Gia Rai, E De Kpah, Ba Na, Xo Dang, Brau, Co Ho . Song, there are ethnic groups, both men and women can use, such as Ma, M 'Agriculture. Only a few ethnic groups like E De Bih only women can play gongs.

The Central Highlands gong is a cultural heritage bearing the time and space imprint . From the categories, method of sounding, payroll and scales to the system of writing and performing arts, we will encounter something of a multi-faceted art range from simple to complex, from less to many, from single line to multi-line . In which the historical cutting layers of the music development process from the early period. Here, all artistic values ​​are in a similar and different relationship, defining the regional character of art. And, with the richness, originality and diversity from all to part, it can confirm the special position of the Central Highlands gong in the traditional ethnic music of Vietnam .

The music of the Central Highland gong represents the skill level of the player in applying gong and skill-making skills. From adjusting gongs to payrolls to orchestras, how to play, how to perform, the people, though not going to training schools, still show great skills. For Highlanders, gongs and gong culture are invaluable assets . The Central Highland gong music is not only an artistic value that has long been affirmed in the social life but also the crystallization of the sacred spirit of the river and mountain for generations. Gongs of the Central Highlands not only have material meaning as well as artistic values, but they are also the "voice" of people and gods according to the concept of "spiritual things".

On November 25 , 2005, Vietnam's Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space was officially recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of intangible and oral culture of mankind . After Hue royal court music, Central Highlands gong is the second intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam to be honored as a world heritage.