Keeping gong rhythm in the mountains

Having pursued his passion for gongs for more than 60 years, artisan Ho Song Hao (74), in Xom Moi Hamlet (Vinh O Commune, Vinh Linh District) not only masters the instrument but also actively participated in teaching, preserving and promoting the national heritage of gong culture. Thanks to his mentorship, many young generations in the mountainous Western Vinh Linh are able to play gongs skillfully and spread their passion for their homeland’s musical instruments and instrumental music.

A performance of the Vinh O Commune Gong Ensemble in the ceremony to announce Vinh Khe Commune (Vinh Linh District) meeting new-style rural area standards in 2023. Photo: N.B

A young boy fascinated by gongs

For generations, in the cultural and spiritual life of the Bru and Pacoh minorities in the Truong Son Mountains, gongs are not merely musical instruments but also viewed as “village guardian deities”, a symbol of wealth of each family and the power of each village. Their sounds and rhythms serve as a supernatural language of communication between humans and the spiritual world, conveying the locals’ feelings and prayers for a comfortable, peaceful and happy life.

Born and raised in the mountainous area of Vinh O Commune, since a young boy, Hao usually saw people in his hamlet use gongs at Lunar New Year, festivals, weddings and funerals. The melodies mesmerized him, gradually nurturing his passion for traditional musical instruments. Every time a festival was held in the hamlet or commune, Hao followed the gong ensemble to watch and learn.

Back in the days, since he was still small, Hao wasn’t allowed to play gongs. However, he was so passionate that he had to use tools such as wooden boards and corrugated iron sheets to simulate the shape of the instrument, and practice enthusiastically by himself.

Being a clever person, with a talent and passion for traditional music and instruments, after only a few years, Hao was almost able to replicate the rhythms and sounds often made by artisans. It was not until he was 13 or 14 that he was officially allowed to follow the hamlet elders to learn how to play gongs and inherit the skills bequeathed by his forefathers.

Artisan Ho Song Hao (right) shares gong techniques with his younger brother, Ho Van Binh. Photo: N.B

In 1969, Hao was sent to study at an intermediate college of education in Dong Trieu District, Quang Ninh Province, so he temporarily put aside his passion for gong research. In 1972, he was assigned to work as a primary teacher in Huong Lap Commune, Huong Hoa District. Here, he resumed his practice and research on new, interesting uses for gongs.

“My father passed away early, in 1979, my mother was very ill, and my siblings were still too young, so I decided to quit teaching to support my family. Returning to my hometown, I was elected as the hamlet chief and police constable, and in 1998, I switched to working as a commune judicial officer. In 2014, I retired on a pension.

Since I left Huong Lap Commune and come back home, I’ve been even more passionate and had more conditions to study more thoroughly gong sounds, rhythms and skills handed down by my forefathers. Since I was a child, I’ve seen gongs as a part of life, and I’ll strive to help younger generations follow me and preserve gong rhythm for the future", Hao shared about his journey.

For decades, artisan Ho Song Hao has always taken part in playing gongs, pasi gongs and drums at weddings and funerals across the hamlet and commune. He is pleased to see young people not letting the traditional culture, musical instruments and instrumental music fade into oblivion. And that has motivated him to make more efforts in teaching gong skills to youthful learners in the commune and region.

For gong sounds to echo endlessly

A qualified teacher himself, Hao flexibly applied his pedagogical skills in compiling a gong syllabus. In parallel, he consulted and discussed thoroughly with Vinh O Communne’s Party Committee and authority the issue of preserving and promoting traditional musical instruments and instrumental music of the nation.

As a result, the Vinh O Commune Gong Ensemble was established under the direction and management of the Vinh O People’s Committee years ago. Today, the troupe has around 30 members, each of which is specifically assigned to play drums, gongs or pasi gongs, or dance. Undoubtedly, artist Ho Song Hao plays a major role in the Gong Ensemble.

The first message he hopes to convey to the troupe members and the audience, especially young people, is to respect the “hamlet guardian deities”. Accordingly, before bringing gongs out for days of practice and performance, it’s vital that gong worship rules be obeyed. While the offerings are simply composed of a whole chicken and a bottle of wine, the ritual has to be neat, solemn and reverent. After gongs are used, the host, elders or troupe members are assigned to hang them in the most solemn place in the house. And this beautiful custom has always been upheld and practiced by younger generations.

Artisan Ho Song Hao (left) is wrapped in a gong performance. Photo: N.B

Gongs come with numerous tunes and the rhythm also varies the context of use. In general, joyful rhythms are for festivals, while reverent ones suit ceremonies. Most youthful artists only like playing gongs spontaneously, without following any rules; this is only suitable for joyous occasions.

Grasping that reality, Hao has “compiled” many flexible lessons aimed at different purposes, so that young artists can master gong tunes and rhythms, and know how to use them properly to promote traditional cultural values. "To teach young people to play gongs skillfully, we must first arouse their passion for gongs. Then, they will actively join in.

Gong tunes have truly awakened the soul and pride in traditional national culture in many people, especially the young. For many years now, gong rhythm combined with dances has attracted more and more participants, while heightening the sense of community and solidarity in villages and residential areas. That makes me try harder to teach all the skills in using gongs to the younger generation, so that in the future, gong sounds will echo endlessly in the majestic Truong Son Mountains," Hao said.

For many years, artisan Ho Song Hao has not only taught the techniques and beauty of gong culture to members of the Vinh O Commune Gong Ensemble, the people in the hamlet and commune, as well as his children, siblings and clan members. He also travels to hamlets in the communes of Vinh Ha and Vinh Khe (Vinh Linh District), with the desire to preserve and spread the gong culture left by their forefathers.

With this enthusiasm, the scene of young men and women, the elderly and children in all the mountainous villages in Western Quang Tri, holding hands and singing to the rhythm of gongs to celebrate the bumper crops, the renewal and prosperity of their homeland, will no longer be a rare sight in the coming days...

Nhon Bon - Jenna Duong