The Dao art troupe of Pieng Sang hamlet, Phieng Luong commune, is famous not only in Son La province but also at art festivals of ethnic groups. They regularly perform at traditional ceremonies and for tourists to promote Dao’s culture.
Pieng Sang art troupe performs at the 2nd National Festival of Dao Culture in Thai Nguyen province. (photo: VOV)
The Dao art troupe of Pieng Sang hamlet sings a “páo dung” melody, with lyrics that express the Dao’s gratitude to the Party and to Uncle Ho. The performance won a B prize at the 2nd National Festival of Dao Culture in Thai Nguyen province early last month. The art troupe also grabbed A prizes for a dance from the Dao’s maturity ceremony and a display of Dao costumes.
Ban Van Thuan, a member of Pieng Sang art troupe, said: “We are very proud to have been selected to perform at the 2nd National Festival of Dao Culture in Thai Nguyen province. We perform the songs and dances of our group to an audience of people from many places. We also exchange with other Dao branches. We hope to receive more support from the authorities in preserving and promoting the Dao culture.”
When the Pieng Sang art troupe was established 22 years ago, it had only 10 members and performed a few simple dances. They made performance props and tailored their own performance costumes. The troupe has been expanded in order to promote cultural and artistic movements at the grassroots level and to entertain tourists. Now there are 30 members from 20 to 40 years old, who work during the day and reheasse their singing and dancing in the evening. Many large programs involve the village chief, senior villagers, and shamans, who have profound knowledge of the Dao.
Pieng Sang art troupe performs a bell dance. (photo: VOV)
Trieu Thi Huong, head of the art troupe, said: “Depending on the program, we perform from bell dance, sing “páo dung”, and reprise ceremonies such as praying for crops. Villagers enthusiastically and voluntarily join the art troupe to preserve our cultural identity.”
Since the opening of the Moc Chau pedestrian street, the Pieng Sang art troupe has been performing there every Saturday and Sunday to entertain the tourists.
Ban Van Loi, Secretary of Phieng Luong commune’s Party Committee, said: “The local authorities have encouraged the villagers to preserve and promote the Dao culture to support tourism. We have improved the art troupe by inviting cultural staff to help them stage special performances for contests.”
Cheo Thu - Vĩnh Phong
