Researchers acknowledge value and attraction to communities of ``hat xoan``

Hanoi (VNA) -- Researchers have acknowledged the value and attraction to
communities of “ hat xoan” (ancestor worship singing), a tradition of Phu
Tho province, and are considering applying to UNESCO for its recognition as an
Intangible Culture Heritage, which needs urgent protection.


About 32 domestic and foreign researchers and folklore experts have gathered at a
seminar in the mid-land province to share information on the art which, like any
traditional or popular art form, has the benefits of being emotionally uplifting,
which providing social cohesion for villagers.


Folk culture researcher Nguyen Khac Xuong introduced the concept of a " hat xoan
culture area" spreading from Phu Tho to other localities as Duc Bac, Tu Du, Hoang
Thuong and Huong Non.


“Hat xoan” had overwhelmed other folk ways of singing in the large
deltas of Da, Hong and Ma rivers, he said. It had created a cultural area, which
could be called " hat xoan cultural space".


Musicologist Tran Quang Hai, who chaired the seminar last weekend, said the new
concept was worth consideration.


“Hat xoan” is believed to have originated more than 500 years ago. It is
now popular in the villages of An Thai, Phu Duc, Kim Doi and Thet along the Lo
River in Phu Tho. It is also popular in other localities in midland and northern
regions.


It is somewhat similar to the lullaby. Like quan ho (love duets singing), many of
the songs in “ hat xoan” are about love, but more traditionally it is a way of
worshipping the village spirits, which are typically ancestors of residents. Some
song lyrics are spoken and some are sung by a group, and they are often accompanied
by dances.


“Hat xoan” festivals are often held in the spring in village temples.


Traditionally, a group of “ hat xoan” singers would stand at a temple
gate, to be joined by singers from other villages who pair up with the host
singers.


Host singers play the role of brothers and sisters while the guests act as juniors.
According to local customs, once two singers are paired as brother and sister, they
were not able to marry one another.


Today, “ hat xoan” is typically only performed on the fifth day of the
first lunar month. The artists often gather and sing at the Hung Temple festival,
dedicated to the Hung kings, who are the legendary ancestors of the Viet
people.


Cultural researchers attending the seminar from France , Republic of Korea
and Thailand suggested the unique way of singing should be introduced in
schools as most young people did not know anything about the art.


They stressed that both central and local authorities should join the protection
process, advertise the art to local residents in the area to persuade them of its
value and to be proud of its heritage.


Professor Tryono Bramanito, from Indonesia , said hat xoan ’s lyrics, which
were delicately mixed with melodies and associated with dance, had historical
contexts, all of which had been handed down unchanged through generations.
In order to protect the art, Bramanito said, researchers should underline the
intangible values of such an ancient art, which met UNESCO’s criteria.-Enditem