The Central Highlands is renowned for Vietnam’s specialty crops such as coffee, cashews, pepper, rubber, and more. However, beyond that, the Central Highlands is home to ethnic minority communities in the mountainous region with rich and fascinating cultural features, among which the Gong Festival stands out the most.
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The Origin of Gong Festival
According to elderly members of the Xo Dang ethnic group, in the past, wild elephants would rampage through villages, destroying crops and properties. The people armed themselves and joined forces to fight off the wild beasts, engaging in battles for days and nights to no avail. Exhausted and desperate, they resorted to praying to the deity Yang.
Suddenly, a mound of earth emerged from the ground. Upon digging, they found a large, round bronze object that four people couldn’t lift, and when struck, it produced a resounding sound. The Xo Dang people struck this bronze object, and the sound reverberated throughout the mountains, frightening the elephants into retreating deep into the forest.
This bronze object later came to be known as the gong and became a popular musical instrument in the Central Highlands villages. The resonant sound of the gong plays a significant role in the spiritual life of the people. From rituals during pregnancy to childbirth and various festivals, the sound of the gong has always echoed in their ears.
This distinctive sound, deeply intertwined with the mountainous forest region, has become an integral part of the Gong Festival in the Central Highlands, serving as the sole means of connecting with the divine, harmonizing with the earth and sky, and communicating within the community according to the beliefs of the ethnic minority people. Additionally, the songs accompanied by the gong music during the festival symbolize prayers for a good harvest, peace, and happiness.
The Time and Location of the Festival
The Gong Festival in the Central Highlands usually takes place from March to December each year, but there is no fixed schedule. Every year, the festival is organized at different times and alternates among the five provinces of the Central Highlands, including Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, and Gia Lai.
Due to its central role in the cultural, political, and social aspects of the Central Highlands region, Dak Lak province is often chosen as the most important location for hosting the festival. For this reason, it has the largest number of gongs in Vietnam, and the Central Highlands Gong Festival takes place in Buon Don district, Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province, which is also considered one of the biggest and most distinctive festivals.
The Unique Features of the Central Highlands Gong Festival
Introduction to the Gong Musical Instrument
The gong is a musical instrument made of bronze, sturdy, and produces powerful resonant sounds. At first glance, gongs may seem similar, but the easiest way to distinguish between the two is by their appearance: one kind has a knob, one kind doesn’t.
Most gongs are made of bronze, but some are made of bronze alloys mixed with gold, silver, or black bronze. This mixture creates various types of different gong sounds.
The Enchanting Gong Dance
A highlight not to be missed at the Central Highlands Gong Festival is the remarkable gong dance performance to worship the Fire Deity. First, the dancers dressed in traditional ethnic costumes, carrying various sizes of gongs, will step onto the stage and welcome everyone to the festival.
Next, the fire will be lit along with prayers, and the dancers will begin striking the gongs and dancing to the music around the altar. From the Wă kwằng rhythm for deity invocation, to the New Rice Celebration dance, the A ráp mồ ô dance…, all are performed beautifully.
The ethnic people present at the festival will also flood onto the large open space to dance, sing along with the dancers performing stunning dances. Everything resonates under the lively sound of the gongs.
The gong dance is not just the melody of the gods; it brings excitement and joy to everyone participating in the festival, while the crisp sound of the gongs echoes the melodies of prayers for seasons, peace, and happiness of the local people reverberating throughout the majestic mountains and forests of the Central Highlands.
Tips for Participating in the Central Highlands Gong Festival
- To enhance your experience, it’s advisable to learn about the Central Highlands Gong Festival beforehand, gaining insight into the culture of deity worship and the significance of gong instruments in the spiritual life of ethnic communities.
- While attending any cultural festival, paying attention to attire is crucial. When visiting the Gong Festival, there’s no need to wear overly formal or rigid outfits as it may hinder your ability to enjoy and participate in the festivities. However, it’s also best to avoid overly flashy or sheer clothing.
- Lastly, be mindful of the rules at the Central Highlands Gong Festival venue and adhere to them to ensure your safety, especially during the Fire Deity invocation ceremony, which involves lighting a large fire.
