The Rhythm of Youthful Gongs in the Heart of Nam Gia Nghia Ward

When the gongs call the young back

In Nam Gia Nghia Ward, on weekend evenings, the sound of gongs once again echoes from the homes of village artisans. Neither loud nor showy, these steady rhythms act as a gentle call, drawing together young people who still feel a deep connection to the traditional sounds of their ethnic heritage.

The ward’s youth gong ensemble currently has six members, among whom Y Tuyen (born in 1994, Group 5) is one of the most dedicated. According to Y Tuyen, more than 20 people in the village can play the gongs, mostly older men and women, with around 12 of them being highly proficient. Among the younger generation, more than eight people know how to play, including two who have mastered the gong repertoires, while the rest are still in training.

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“Whenever we have free time, the team members gather at an artisan’s house to learn more. Familiar pieces can be played smoothly, but the more difficult ones require repeated practice. Each session helps us better understand the sound of the gongs and the characteristics of each instrument in the six-gong set”

Y Tuyen

He added that many young people in the village learned to play the gongs by attending training classes taught by artisans since 2009. To this day, the youth ensemble continues to receive structured guidance, with some members having completed courses and received certificates. Although the number of members may fluctuate at times, the spirit of preserving the gong culture has never faded.

Keeping the traditional flame alive through the younger generation

Beyond local practice sessions, the Nam Gia Nghia ward youth gong ensemble actively participates in exchange activities and festivals. The group has taken part in gong festivals across various Central Highlands provinces, as well as numerous cultural events organized by the province, ward and village. “Whenever there’s an event, we go together — to learn from others and to make sure the gong rhythms are not forgotten,” Y Tuyen said.

For Y Cuong (born in 1992), another member of the ensemble, the sound of gongs has been a part of his life from an early age. Growing up, he became accustomed to hearing gongs resonate throughout villages and hamlets, each time feeling a sense of excitement and connection.

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“Listening to elders play the gongs, I feel as if I’m reliving the memories of my grandparents’ time, seeing the beauty and value of our culture. Hearing it from childhood, it became ingrained in me, so when the youth ensemble was formed, I joined to learn”

Y Cuong

Y Cuong has now mastered around 12 to 14 gong pieces. For him, preserving the gong tradition is not only a personal passion but also a responsibility to future generations. “Life today offers many other concerns. If we don’t preserve it, our children and grandchildren may no longer know about gong culture,” he said.

According to ensemble members, the biggest challenge at present is time. Elder artisans are aging, while younger people are increasingly busy with work and study. Without regular practice, many gong pieces risk being forgotten, and valuable knowledge may be lost as artisans pass away before fully passing it on.

From this reality, Ms Le Thi Xuan, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of Nam Gia Nghia Ward, noted that youth gong ensembles play a particularly important role in preserving and transmitting the gong cultural space. The active involvement of young people ensures that gong culture remains a living part of community life.

In the coming period, the locality plans to focus on opening more training and coaching classes for teenagers and young adults, while also increasing exchange activities and festivals to create spaces for people to practice, refine their skills and nurture a lasting passion for gong culture. “When there is a regular cultural space, young people will have better opportunities to access, learn and stay connected with traditional culture over the long term,” Ms Le Thi Xuan emphasized.