The Central Highlands, a majestic region of Vietnam, is not only famous for its vast coffee plantations and roaring waterfalls but also for preserving a priceless intangible cultural treasure. Among them, the most prominent and unique is the Space of Gong Culture. The sound of gongs is not just music; it is the voice of the soul, a sacred thread connecting humans with heaven, earth, and the community. This is a cultural heritage of international stature, honored by UNESCO. Let's explore the distinctive values of this art form together.

Where does the Gong Culture of the Central Highlands originate?

The origin of the Central Highlands' gongs is deeply rooted in the historical and spiritual flow of indigenous ethnic groups such as the Ede, Jarai, Ba Na, M'nong, and Co-ho. The history of gongs is intertwined with the development history of these communities, from the early days of establishing villages. There are many theories and legends about their birth. Some stories say that gongs were a gift from the deities for humans to communicate with the supernatural world. Their sound is believed to reach the ears of the gods (Yang), praying for favorable rain and wind, bountiful crops, and warding off evil spirits and diseases.

Archaeologically, researchers suggest that gongs may have originated from the Dong Son culture, with its first bronze drums. Through cultural exchange and development, the people of the Central Highlands created gong sets with unique scales and performance styles, bearing the distinct identity of each ethnic group. Initially made from stone, bamboo, and wood, they were gradually replaced by bronze to produce a more resonant and durable sound. Gongs are not a single instrument but are often played in ensembles, with each one having a specific function and tone, blending to create a symphony of the mountains and forests.

What is the significance of gongs in the lives of the Central Highlanders?

Gongs are not merely musical instruments but sacred symbols, present in every aspect of community life. They are the most valuable assets of each family and village, a measure of wealth and authority. The significance of gongs is profoundly expressed through the following aspects:

• A means of spiritual communication: This is the most important meaning. The Central Highlanders believe that a deity resides in each gong. Their sound is the bridge between humans and the divine world. In important ceremonies such as a newborn's ear-blowing ceremony, weddings, funerals, new rice celebration, or buffalo-stabbing festival, the sound of gongs is played to invite the Yangs to witness, bless, or share in sorrow.
• The language of the community: The sound of gongs is a means to announce news and gather the community. Each gong piece has its own melody, conveying different messages: some announce good news, some bad news, some urge warriors to battle, and some welcome distinguished guests. It is an indispensable part of the Central Highlands culture, expressing the unity and cohesion of the entire village.
• A work of art and cultural symbol: Each gong set is an exquisite work of art, requiring high craftsmanship. The performance of gongs is also a unique art, combining music, dance (xoang dance), and the festival atmosphere. The sound of gongs has become the 'soul' of the Central Highlands' mountains and forests, a distinctive and unmistakable cultural symbol.

What is unique about the space of gong culture?

The uniqueness of the gong culture lies not only in the instruments themselves but in the very "space" of their existence. This space includes many intertwined elements: people, nature, rituals, and community. On November 15, 2005, the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This recognition is based on its outstanding values:

The subjects of the heritage are the ethnic communities themselves. Gong culture is passed down from generation to generation through practice in rituals and festivals. The gong players are not professional artists in the conventional sense, but farmers, village elders, and young men of the village. They play with all their hearts and spiritual beliefs. The performance space is often open, connected to nature, such as in the communal house (Nha Rong), at the water wharf, on the terraced fields, or at the home of the ceremony's host. The sound of gongs echoing through the mountains and forests creates a magnificent harmony between man and nature. It is not a stage performance but a living cultural activity where everyone participates and immerses themselves in the sacred atmosphere of the festival.

How to distinguish between 'cồng' and 'chiêng'?

Although often referred to collectively as "cồng chiêng," 'cồng' and 'chiêng' are two distinct types of instruments with clear differences in structure and sound, playing different roles in an orchestra.

• Cồng (Bossed Gong): This type has a knob (or boss) in the center. The sound of the 'cồng' is deep, warm, and resonant. When the knob is struck, it produces a clear pitch and usually plays the main melody in the ensemble. The 'cồng' is often considered to have a 'yang' or masculine quality.
• Chiêng (Flat Gong): This type has no knob and a flat surface. The sound of the 'chiêng' is high, clear, and clanging. It typically provides the background harmony and rhythm for the music piece. The 'chiêng' is considered to have a 'yin' or feminine quality.

The harmonious combination of 'cồng' and 'chiêng', of yin and yang, of melody and rhythm, creates multi-toned, enchanting musical pieces that reflect the philosophy of yin-yang and the cosmology of the Central Highlanders. A gong set can range from 3 to over 20 pieces, depending on the community and its purpose.

How to experience the Central Highlands Gong Festival?

To truly feel the soul of the gongs, there is nothing better than immersing yourself in a gong festival. The periodically held Central Highlands Gong Festival is a great opportunity for domestic and international tourists to admire this heritage. In the festival atmosphere, you will witness magnificent gong performances by artisan troupes from various villages. Young men and women in traditional brocade costumes, holding mallets, move in circles around a sacred fire, playing the gongs as they walk. The graceful, rhythmic xoang dances, combined with the deep and soaring sounds of the gongs, create a vivid and colorful cultural picture.

Besides, visitors also have the chance to enjoy 'rượu cần' (wine drunk from a jar through pipes) – an indispensable drink at festivals, and traditional local dishes. By participating in the festival, you are not just an observer but are invited to join the xoang dance circle, hold hands, and feel the warmth, friendliness, and community spirit of the local people. It is a profound, memorable, and most authentic cultural experience.

What are the current challenges in preserving the gong culture?

Despite being recognized worldwide, the Central Highlands gong culture still faces many major challenges in its preservation. Socio-economic development and globalization have profoundly changed the lives of ethnic communities. Traditional performance spaces have shrunk, and ancient rituals are no longer held regularly. The younger generation today has many new interests and fewer opportunities to learn the art of gongs from their elders.

An alarming issue is the "bleeding of gongs," where many precious ancient gong sets are sold off as antiques, causing villages to lose their soul. Skilled artisans are getting older and fewer, while the succeeding generation of artisans is still thin. To preserve this heritage, government authorities, researchers, and the local communities themselves are making efforts to implement various solutions such as opening teaching classes, reviving festivals, collecting and preserving gongs, and promoting this cultural value to the public responsibly, avoiding commercialization that distorts the essence of the heritage.

Conclusion: The Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands is a priceless heritage, a source of pride for the Vietnamese nation. Its sound contains a worldview, a belief system, and profound humanistic values. Exploring, honoring, and joining hands to preserve this heritage is not only the responsibility of the people of the Central Highlands but of all of us, so that the sound of gongs will forever echo with the great mountains and forests.

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