K’Krong - Guardian of Ma Cultural Heritage

Growing up with the sounds of the highlands

Born and raised in a family rich in cultural traditions, K’Krong was immersed in folk melodies, bamboo flute tunes, gourd horn sounds, and the vibrant rhythms of gongs performed during village festivals from an early age.

On bright moonlit nights, beside the flickering fire, he followed his parents and village elders, learning each song, each gong rhythm, and even the breathing techniques needed to play the flute.

Without formal schooling, his teachers were his parents and the elders of the village. Through careful observation, attentive listening, and constant practice, K’Krong gradually captured the soul of traditional music. For him, every sound carries not only a melody but also stories of origins, daily life, and the spirit of the Ma people living in the vast highlands.

His eagerness to learn, perseverance, and passion soon enabled him to master many traditional musical instruments. Despite the many changes in life, his love for ethnic culture has never faded.

Skillful hands preserving traditional craft

Beyond performing, K’Krong has also devoted himself to crafting traditional musical instruments. Using materials commonly found in the forest, such as bamboo tubes, bamboo stems, and gourds, he carefully carves and measures each detail to create finely tuned bamboo flutes and gourd horns.

He can craft six-pipe gourd horns and three-hole gourd horns, instruments characteristic of the Ma ethnic community. To produce a properly tuned instrument, the craftsman must understand musical scales, select materials at the right maturity, and carefully process them so that the sound is clear and resonant. For K’Krong, this is not merely a technical process but also a way of placing his soul into each creation.

In addition to making musical instruments, he is also skilled in traditional weaving crafts such as baskets, carrying backpacks, and bamboo trays, daily items closely tied to the community’s livelihood. Under his skillful hands, each rattan and bamboo strip becomes flexible yet sturdy, forming products that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

During his free time, instead of resting, he often sits by the veranda, working while passing on his knowledge to younger villagers. He believes that without passing these skills down, traditional crafts will gradually disappear.

Keeping the cultural flame alive through music

At local festivals, K’Krong dressed in traditional attire can often be seen playing the flute or gong and singing folk songs. The sound of bamboo flutes he crafts himself echoes through the mountains, evoking memories of the village’s past.

He masters many instruments, from bamboo flutes and gourd horns to gongs. To him, each instrument has its own “soul,” requiring the performer to truly understand and connect with it. When the gong sounds, he not only keeps the rhythm but also conveys the emotions and stories of the community.

Beyond performing locally, he also joins provincial cultural exchange programs, helping introduce the beauty of Ma culture to wider audiences. In an era of modernization, preserving and promoting traditional culture becomes even more meaningful.

What makes people admire K’Krong is not only his talent but also his dedication to the younger generation. Concerned that many young villagers are drifting away from traditional music, he offers free lessons at his home.

From children to young adults, he patiently teaches them how to hold the flute, control their breath, and play the gong. Many who join out of curiosity soon become captivated by the unique sounds of ethnic instruments.

He often explains the meaning behind each gong rhythm and folk song, sharing how he learned from his parents and reminding the younger generation of their role in preserving cultural identity. For K’Krong, safeguarding culture is not only about keeping artifacts or performing at festivals, but also about nurturing pride and love for tradition among young people.

Thanks to his dedication, many youths in Ta Dung have learned to play gongs and flutes and joined the commune’s cultural performance team. During festivals, they perform alongside him, strengthening the connection between generations.

K’Krong’s persistent contributions to preserving ethnic culture have been recognized by the Party and the State. In 2019, he was honored with the title Meritorious Artisan by the President for his outstanding contributions to safeguarding and promoting the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.

This is not only a personal honor but also a source of pride for his family, his village, and the local authorities. The title affirms the quiet yet enduring journey to which he has devoted many years to.

“

“I do this because of my love for the culture of my people. Being recognized by the government makes me very happy, but what matters most is that the younger generation continues to learn, to play the gongs and the flutes.”

Meritorious Artisan K’Krong, Ta Dung Commune, Lam Dong Province

Preserving cultural identity in the modern flow

As socio-economic life continues to develop, many traditional values face the risk of fading away. Handcrafted instruments are gradually replaced by electronic sounds, and folk songs are heard less frequently in daily life.

This makes the role of artisans like K’Krong all the more important. They are not only practitioners but also living keepers of indigenous knowledge. Through his hands and music, Ma culture is not confined to museums but continues to thrive within the community.