Quang Tri’s rice-pounding chantey becomes National Intangible Cultural Heritage

QTO- Rice-pounding chantey- the folk performing art in the central province of Quang Tri, has been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages publicized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Rice-pounding chantey in Hai Lang, Trieu Phong, Cam Lo, Gio Linh, and Vinh Linh districts has long-standing cultural and historical values. The performing art originated from the local people’s daily labor work of rice threshing and pounding, as singing together created a joyful atmosphere that relieved fatigue.

Having developed over time, the chantey became a type of art spread to various public spaces in the province, connecting members of a village or multiple villages. The lyrics contain knowledge about geography, clothing, residence, travel, and handicrafts, teaching people about patriotism, perseverance, and filial love while condemning bad habits.

Notably, in the borderline land between 1954 and 1975, rice-pounding chantey was also a spiritual weapon of the Quang Tri people in the fight to defend their hometown.

With its development history and enormous values, the art fulfilled the specified criteria for the scientific profile of national intangible cultural heritages.

Rice-pounding chantey is one of 14 new national intangible cultural heritages recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The ministry has requested that the chairpersons of people’s committees at all levels in relevant localities, within the scope of their authority and responsibilities, perform state management following cultural heritage laws.

Mai Lam- Jenna Duong