In the cultural life of Vietnamese ethnic groups, folk music is a form of entertainment, and also reflects the soul, beliefs and customs of the community.
For the Red Dao people, the Pi Le horn is a traditional musical instrument of special significance, closely associated with important rituals in life.
The Pi Le horn belongs to the sound instrument group, consisting of three main parts: the blow head, the horn body and the horn speaker. The blow head is made of small copper, which helps create a stream of sound.
The trunk of the horn is made of wood, about 40cm long, divided into many sections, including small holes for the player to adjust the pitch. The horn speaker part is made of thin copper in the shape of a cone, which amplifies the sound, helping the horn sound resonate far and be more complete.
According to the beliefs of the Red Dao people, Pi Le is not simply a musical instrument but also a sacred object of the lineage. Therefore, the horn is always carefully preserved, not sold or exchanged. The sound of the horn has long become an indispensable part of spiritual life, associated with important rituals of the community.
Although it has a fairly simple structure, Pi Le is a difficult instrument to play. The player must use the technique of breathing through the nose combined with breath regulation through the mouth to create sound.
At the same time, fingers must flexibly press and stroke the body of the trumpet to create different melodies. Learners of trumpet playing need passion, perseverance and a long process of practice to master the sound of this instrument.
Pi Le horn can perform many melodies with rich nuances. In the wedding ceremony, the sound of the horn brings joyful and bustling sounds like blessings for the couple.
In the funeral, the melody becomes sad and deep like a farewell to the deceased. In the Cap Sac ceremony - a ritual marking the maturity of Red Dao men, the sound of the trumpet, sometimes high, sometimes low, symbolizes the journey to enter a new life.
For the Red Dao people, the wedding ceremony is a particularly important ritual, so the sound of the Pi Le horn is always present on the joyful day of the young couple. The Dao people believe that the sound of the horn can ward off bad luck, bring peace and happiness. Therefore, in the bridal procession, the horn team often goes ahead as if paving the way for a harmonious and good married life.
In each wedding ceremony, the sound of the horn has its own nuance. When the groom's family comes to pick up the bride, the sound of the horn echoes loudly and joyfully. When it comes to the bride's engagement ceremony, the melody becomes soft and earnest, expressing respect for the bride's family.
In the ancestral worship ceremony, the sound of the horn is slow and deep, like a thank you to parents and superiors. When raising a glass of wine to celebrate, the sound of the horn harmonizes with the sound of gongs and cymbals, creating an atmosphere that is both sacred and filled with joy.
Not only appearing in rituals, the sound of the Pi Le horn is also associated with the emotional life of the Red Dao people. The sound of the horn harmonizing with the Pao dung singing has become a bridge to help many couples find out and become husband and wife.
Today, amidst the modern pace of life, the sound of Pi Le horn is still preserved by the Red Dao people as a traditional cultural symbol. Preserving and promoting the value of Pi Le horn is also the way the Red Dao people preserve the unique cultural identity of their nation for future generations.
