Mnong People Preserve the Gong Heritage

More than just a musical instrument, the Gong embodies the cultural soul and collective memory passed down through generations of Mnong people in Lam Dong.

In the expansive highlands of Lam Dong, the sound of gongs has long been an integral aspect of daily life for the Mnong people.

The gongs resonate during celebrations of the new rice harvest, ceremonies honoring water sources, weddings, brotherhood rituals, and events welcoming esteemed guests to the village.

To the Mnong community, the gong serves not just as a musical instrument for festivals or communal gatherings but also as a spiritual expression, forging a connection between individuals, spirits, ancestors, and the community itself.

Whenever the gong resonates through the mountains and forests, it carries prayers for good harvests, health, peace, and prosperity. Therefore, in the spiritual life of the Mnong people, the gong holds a sacred and special place.

For generations, the sound of gongs has never been absent from the traditional ceremonies of the Mnong community. At times gentle and measured, at others powerful and intense, sometimes deep and resonant, sometimes soulful, the rhythms seem to recount stories of village life, the mountains and forests, and the enduring journey of a people living in the great highlands.

Village elder Dieu Nhong from Bu Bir village in Quang Tin Commune stated, “The gong holds a significant place in the tradition of the Mnong people. Its sound is essential during festivals, New Year festivities, new rice ceremonies, or any joyful events in the village. The Mnong people view the gong as a means of communication between the village and their ancestors and deities, which is why this tradition has been maintained over generations.”

The Mnong community traditionally utilizes a group of six gongs termed the Bor gong ensemble. Each gong produces a unique tone and serves a specific function within the performance. The largest gong is referred to as the mother gong, while the smallest is called the child gong. When these gongs are played in unison, their tones combine beautifully to form the signature melodies of the mountains and forests.

A Mnong gong consists of two main parts: the gong surface and the gong rim. During a performance, the player strikes the surface of the gong with the right fist while the left hand is placed inside the gong to adjust the rhythm and sound. This technique creates tones that can be powerful and resonant at times, or deep and gentle at others, much like the voice of the great highlands.

Some gong sets have helped sustain local communities during wars, natural calamities, and various life transitions. Although the gongs show signs of aging on their surfaces, their sounds continue to echo with power, representing the lasting spirit of the Mnong people in the expansive highlands.

Today, many households no longer regard gongs as status symbols, but instead cherish them as a way to honor ancestral memories and pass on the cultural values preserved by their forebears to younger generations.

In the village of Ja Lu B, Quang Tan Commune, Dieu Duc's family continues to preserve an ancient set of gongs that has been passed down through generations. For him, it is more than just a family heirloom; it is a revered treasure of their lineage.

This gong set has been a significant part of his life ever since he was a child. The memories of the harsh years of war remain vivid for this Mnong man. Even during times of fleeing from bombs and conflict, his grandparents and parents made sure to carry the gong set with them, as if it embodied the very spirit of the family.

Even now, although the gong set shows signs of age and even remnants of conflict, its sound remains impactful and profoundly touching whenever it is played.

During village festivals, weddings, or community events, Dieu Duc showcases the gong set alongside local residents. He also takes the time to teach his children and grandchildren to identify each gong and maintain the cultural heritage of their community.

Not only does Dieu Duc’s family cherish this tradition, but many households across villages in Lam Dong also continue to quietly safeguard ancient gong sets as precious heirlooms handed down through the years.

From a young age, he was taught by family members how to create traditional musical instruments, along with the art of storytelling, singing folk songs, and performing with gongs at village celebrations. For over fifty years, he has become proficient in various traditional musical instruments and has been involved in cultural activities within the community.

In addition to maintaining these traditions, he has also personally instructed many youths in the village on how to play the gong.

If brocade weaving reflects the colors of life, the sound of the gong embodies the soul of the Mnong people.

Throughout their childhood, Mnong children are immersed in the melodies of gongs played by their parents and grandparents. The sound follows them into the fields, during festive times, and throughout the tales shared within the village.

For many elder artisans, playing the gong is an integral aspect of their lives. Some have committed more than half a century to this practice. Despite facing old age and health challenges, they continue to engage in cultural events, festivals, and impart their wisdom to the younger generations.

They understand better than anyone else that if younger generations do not carry on the tradition, the sound of the gong may gradually fade amid the rapid pace of modern life.

The gong's sound represents not only the voice of the mountains and forests but also serves as the memory and pride of the Mnong people dwelling in the vast highlands.

Despite changing times, these sounds continue to be preserved, passed on and kept alive in daily life through a love for ethnic culture and the collective efforts of the community.

This cultural tradition is now upheld not just by elderly artisans with gray hair; it is also being advanced by younger generations.

In today’s modern world, it is significant that many young M’nong people continue to learn to play the gong and explore their ethnic heritage.

For them, acquiring the skill to play the gong goes beyond merely studying a traditional art; it involves connecting with their ancestry and valuing the traditions their forebears diligently safeguarded.

To ensure that the gong tradition does not fade away, the Ja Lu Youth Gong Club was created by the Quang Tan Commune Youth Union. On weekends, members gather at the village cultural house for their practice sessions.

At first, many young participants felt unfamiliar holding the gongs. However, thanks to the dedicated guidance of village artisans, they gradually became familiar with the basic rhythms after a period of practice.

The artisans do not only teach gong-playing techniques; they also share with younger generations the meanings behind each gong performance and the customs closely tied to Mnong life. Through this, young people gain a deeper understanding of and pride in their cultural heritage.

Their hands might still tremble and their rhythms may occasionally be inconsistent, but their eyes shine with excitement and pride in upholding the traditions of their forebears.

Through these basic classes, the melodies of the village gongs are continually transmitted from one generation to another.

Maintaining the sound of the gong has always been the shared responsibility of the entire community—not just one person or a single generation. It is a lengthy process that demands the involvement of everyone—from village elders and artisans to local youth.

Through gong clubs, community events, and local cultural activities, the sound of the gong is now being integrated into everyday life once more, rather than being reserved only for festivals.

From the village elders and skilled craftsmen with their time-worn gray hair to today’s youth and teenagers, all are joining efforts to maintain the spirit of the great highlands through straightforward yet significant actions.

These are the countless hours devoted to practicing the gong.

These are the reminders from grandparents to their children and grandchildren to keep the sound of their people's gongs alive.

And these also represent the subtle yet steadfast commitment of today’s youth to uphold the traditional cultural values handed down by their forebears.

With each festival season, the sound of the gong will persist in echoing through the mountains and forests.

Future generations will remain connected to the cultural heritage of their people.

And from the villages scattered throughout the great highlands of Lam Dong, these sounds will continue to thrive, preserved and shared with future generations.