The ethnic minorities (EMs) region of 3 mountainous districts of Dong Xuan, Song Hinh, Son Hoa of Phu Yen is the long-standing residential area of 3 ethnic groups: Ba Na, Ede and Cham. Each ethnic group has own customs, practices, cultural activities and identity, contributing to creating cultural diversity and uniqueness among the majestic mountains.
Artisans of Dong Xuan district performing double drums at the Festival of Culture - Sports and Tourism of ethnic groups in Phu Yen province
In recent times, the preservation and promotion of cultural values of EMs in general, and the Ba Na, Ede, and Cham ethnic groups in particular have always received attention at all levels.
Indigenous EMs in Phu Yen have been preserving a unique cultural treasure. Regarding architecture, there are cultural features of long houses, tombs... Regarding customs and beliefs, there are weddings, funerals, and many festivals. Regarding patterned and brocade costumes, they have all the characteristics of the indigenous people. The musical treasure of Phu Yen EMs includes many folk songs such as: lullabies, worship songs, love songs, songs to urge labor, songs to tell, songs to judge customary laws, songs to weep for deceased people... with typical musical instruments such as: gongs, drums, trumpets, goong instrument, horns... Folk songs and dances have spaces for gongs, oval dancing, arap dancing, khan singing...
Former Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Mr. Phan Dinh Phung assessed: "Phu Yen is a land with a rich history and cultural depth. The unique feature of Phu Yen culture is the intertwining and interference of many cultures; still preserves many extremely valuable cultural heritages of the community of ethnic groups. Each ethnic group and each locality has own cultural values and nuances. Those values and nuances add to the picture of Phu Yen's culture becoming diverse, rich and having many unique elements."
Every year, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinates with localities where EMs live to organize surveys of intangible cultural heritage; at the same time, evaluate the current status and value of cultural heritage to select, conduct collection and research in each area and each ethnic group. In particular, the implementation of the Project 6 "Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development" period 2023-2025 of the Provincial People's Committee has contributed to preserve and promote the effectiveness of good traditional cultural values of ethnic groups; gradually build unique cultural products associated with tourism development, attracting and meeting the needs of domestic and international tourists.
The elder Y Tip in Ea Trol commune (Song Hinh district) informed: "Many young people leave the village to find food and clothing, so they pay little attention to traditional culture, including festivals and rituals related to spiritual life and beliefs of our people. However, with the attention of the authorities at all levels, the lives of EMs are increasingly improving, creating favorable conditions for us to carry out cultural activities, restore traditional festivals, transfer vocational skills as well as guide young people to learn playing gongs...".
At the seminar "Phu Yen Youth with the task of revitalizing culture in the digital era" recently organized by the Provincial Youth Union, many presentations and exchanges highlighted the role and mission of the young generation in preserving and developing promote national cultural identity, revive culture in the digital era. Secretary of Song Hinh District Youth Union – Mr. Ho Vinh Hung emphasized: Recognizing the role and responsibility of youth in preserving and developing culture, in recent years, Song Hinh youth has implemented many meaningful activities and movements. Unions, associations, and teams strengthen the education of youth union members to appreciate national cultural values. Each youth union member needs to learn and understand traditional cultural values; actively participate in cultural, artistic, sports, and tourism activities to promote local culture to more people.
“In the coming time, all levels of union in the province will focus on organizing many cultural and artistic activities and exchanges of traditional sports; meeting artisans and reputable people to learn about culture and national identity. At the same time, propaganda is integrated into union branch activities; establishing groups on social networks to exchange and share about the meaning and importance of preserving traditional culture, contributing to raise awareness and promote the role of youth union members in preserving the traditional cultural values of the nation in general and ethnic minorities in particular...", informed Mr Luong Minh Tung, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union.
Translated by Hai Loan
