Preserving ethnic culture with all hearts

Kray Suc and Ho Van Hoi artisans have wholeheartedly devoted themselves to preserving generations-passed quintessences of Van Kieu – Pa Ko ethnic minorities.

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc (L) and artisan Ho Van Hoi. Photo: T.L

The Quang Tri Newspaper had a talk with the two artisans who have been honored for their contributions to preserving and promoting the traditional values of the groups.

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc and artisan Ho Van Hoi were honored at the national conference held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc: I was so happy to attend the conference honoring heads of villages and artisans for their preservation achievements of ethnic minorities held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the Dong Mo Tourism Area in Son Tay Town, Hanoi.

Artisan Ho Van Hoi: I was so proud to be selected among the representatives as I was younger than many others. I’m determined to work more for the preparation of the ethnic culture.

What have artisans been doing to keep ethnic cultural values?

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc: I have devoted almost half of my life to protecting and upholding the Pa Ko people's traditional cultural values. I employ a variety of techniques, including gathering, writing, and performing folk songs; making and playing musical instruments; learning, documenting, and reviving honorable customs and practices; translating folk songs... Previously, I organized an exhibition about Pa Ko life and cultural traditions and raised money by selling a buffalo alongside some enthusiastic Pa Ko people. To share what I have saved, I have visited numerous Van Kieu and Pa Ko villages. It was a privilege to be awarded the title Meritorious Artisan in 2015.

Artisan Ho Van Hoi: I have spent the last twenty years or more upholding the traditional cultural values of the Van Kieu ethnic group. I enrolled in school to preserve the brocade weaving profession after realizing it was in danger of going extinct. The progressive disappearance of folk songs and traditional musical instruments after I finished weaving brocade inspired me to carry on with my work. In addition to weaving brocade, I am skilled in a variety of traditional crafts, have collected and preserved dozens of folk songs, and can play about ten different Van Kieu ethnic musical instruments. I've traveled to numerous villages to impart knowledge and distribute what I've saved.

What encourage you to follow this work?

Artisan Kray Suc (3rd from right) talks with young people about ethnic culture. Photo: T.L

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc: Every ethnic group has a unique origin, background, and narrative. That is what keeps the Pa Ko ethnic group alive to this day. I am motivated to support my people because I am proud to be descended from Pa Ko. I came to understand that the Pa Ko people lose their roots if their culture is lost while serving as the commune's cultural officer. As a result, I have made every effort to uphold the moral principles of my people. To start with, I enjoy and love my work, and I want to keep going.

Artisan Ho Van Hoi: I was born in Pa Nho Village, Khe Sanh Town, Huong Hoa District. I grew up witnessing my parents play the flute, my mother weave brocade, and my grandparents sing folk tunes. My affection for the Van Kieu people’s traditional cultural values has grown stronger over time. They seem so natural and intimate to me. I was compelled to take action to protect the value of traditional musical instruments when I was younger because I observed that my peers and the younger generation were not very interested in the sounds of traditional musical instruments, brocade costumes, folk songs, etc. I’m thrilled that people at all levels and in all sectors have taken notice of and supported my efforts.

What do you want to uphold the traditional values of Van Kieu – Pa Ko ethnic groups?

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc: To preserve traditional cultural values, I visited numerous rural areas and spoke with a large number of Van Kieu and Pa Ko people. At the moment, some Van Kieu and Pa Ko people are not very conscious of the importance of maintaining traditional values. Some people have inherited a beauty that they do not wish to share or propagate. Because traditional values are only upheld during festivals, their preservation is likewise a seasonal endeavor. I'm currently having trouble documenting and conserving the artifacts that our ancestors left behind.

Artisan Ho Van Hoi: The preservation of ethnic groups' traditional values has garnered attention from all spheres and levels in recent times. But the outcomes haven't been what was anticipated. A portion of the youth reject the moral principles of their minorities. Artists, on the other hand, struggle since their traditional profession does not support them. Every day, I spend some time weaving brocade, but not all my products are sold sometimes.

What should we do to promote the values?

Meritorious artisan Kray Suc: We need to have clear, long-term plans, strategies, and action plans in order to protect traditional values. To help people recognize goodness and beauty and to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining their culture's good customs, we also need to create a conducive environment. Apart from grand festivals, we can arrange more intimate events like cultural shows, competitions, etc. in the villages. At the moment, some areas and units are introducing their own culture into their extracurricular activities and classrooms. This is a good practice that should be carried out. In order to preserve national culture with both mind and heart, we must educate the younger generation and work together.

Artisan Ho Van Hoi: All levels of government must establish directives for the development, preservation, and restoration of national culture as well as mechanisms and policies to support funding for the preservation of traditional cultural elements. It’s necessary to encourage the traditional cultural identities of ethnic groups in line with the growth of community tourism, have more funding for grassroots cultural institutions, and establish policies for the financial and spiritual compensation of cultural workers and artisans in disadvantaged areas and among ethnic minorities.

Tay Long – Linh Pham