First time seeing two "confrontation" gongs
I have heard the sound of gongs and chiengs many times in the Central mountains and forests, but this is the first time I have seen gongs not only being played but also "fighting" with each other.
In the thematic exhibition space "Cor people's cultural space - Living heritage in the great forest" held in Tra Lien commune, Da Nang city at the end of May 2026, the sound of drums suddenly rose in the circle of people standing crowded around the yard.
Two Cor men, each carrying a gong in front of their chests, walk out facing each other. One holds the "husband's gong", the other carries the "wife's gong". In the middle, the drummer continuously beats, sometimes leisurely, sometimes urgently, as if leading the two players into a real competition.
As soon as the gong sounded, both simultaneously shrugged, turned around and approached. One person tilted their shoulder to avoid the blow, the other suddenly approached, bringing the gong to touch the opponent's gong. Strong footsteps, focused eyes and cheers from the audience turned the small yard into a bustling "arena".
There is no injury strike. There are also no winners or losers in the usual sense. The fight is created by gong sounds, health, quick wit, improvisation ability and even the humor of the performer.
As the two players entered the game, the drum in the middle became louder. The drummer was not simply keeping the rhythm but like an arbitrator. He observed every movement, regulated the match and was ready to step into the middle if the two sides were too excited.
Amidst the audience, Cor women laughed when a competitor suddenly turned around, dodged the approach and returned with a mischievous gesture. The sound of gongs resounding into the mountainside, echoing in the space displaying long houses, Neu trees, gu sets, musical instruments and traditional items.
According to artisan Vo Van Hung: "Battle of gongs is no longer a performance rebuilt to introduce to visitors. It appears as a vivid slice of the Cor community's life, where music, martial arts, beliefs and beliefs about the power of men are united.
In the cultural life of ethnic minority communities, the sound of gongs is present from the new rice celebration, the buffalo eating festival to the rituals of praying for harvests and thanking gods. But gong fighting is a special form of performance, with a unique flavor only found in the Cor community.
The Cor people have lived for a long time in the northwestern mountainous region of Quang Ngai province and the southern and southwestern areas of Da Nang city.In Da Nang, the Cor community is concentrated in Tra Lien commune and some communes such as Thanh Binh, Tam My, Duc Phu, Tra Giap.
The battle to choose the strong and talented
Leaving the performance area, we met Meritorious Artist Duong Lai in Tak Kot village, Tra Lien commune. At the age of 63, Mr. Lai still has a toned body and a loud voice. Mentioning gong playing, his eyes lit up as if he had just returned to the festival seasons of the old village.
According to Mr. Lai, a gong fight usually involves three people. Two people use wives' gongs and husbands' gongs to respond and compete; the other person plays the drum to keep the rhythm and acts as a referee.
The person chosen to play the gong must first know how to play the gong, have strength, flexibility and quick reaction. They also need to know some martial arts moves, have performance ability and humor to create a joyful atmosphere for the community.
It's not like you can fight if you are healthy. Participants must also have good morals and know how to control themselves. Fight strongly but not turn it into fighting" - Mr. Lai said.
In the past, gong competitions often took place in major village festivals. People stood in a circle around to watch and cheer. The girls through the competition could recognize the young man who was both healthy, quick-witted, and graceful to send their feelings.
Therefore, gong fighting was once an opportunity for excellent village boys to show their bravery. Skilled fighters are trusted by the villagers and can be assigned to shoulder important tasks of the community.
However, behind the joyful atmosphere is also a layer of profound spiritual meaning.
According to the beliefs of the ancient Cor people, the image of healthy young men playing gongs in the festival is a way for the community to send a message to gods and invisible forces that the village has protectors.
The sound of the gong and the strength of young people show that the villagers are not weak. Bad spirits, strangers or people who intend to provoke must also be wary when they see them. That is also the reason why, although there are many people in the village who know how to play the gong, only typical young people are selected to enter the competition" - Mr. Lai explained.
Searching for the lost gong sound
However, the gong fighting custom in the Cor people of Da Nang mountainous region once almost disappeared - only existing in the stories of the village elders.
Mr. Duong Lai recounted that the war and changes in life caused many elderly artisans to die, and some people left the village to live elsewhere. Old gong sets were also lost. There are fewer and fewer people who know how to play the gong, and then no one is capable of fully teaching to later generations.
When he was Chairman of the People's Committee of Tra Kot commune, during a visit to the Cor people in Tra Bong district, former Quang Ngai province, Mr. Lai was surprised to see gong fighting.Seeing that his ethnic community still maintained that art, he was both happy and remorseful.
Returning to the village, he met the elderly to ask.The elderly confirmed that the Cor people in Tra Kot and Tra Nu used to have gong fighting customs.However, those who knew how to practice have passed away, and old thanh la and gongs are no longer there, so the custom gradually fades.
I think, if the Cor people in other places can be preserved, we must also find ways to restore them. If we just wait a few more years, our children and grandchildren will no longer know that they once had such a unique art" - Mr. Lai recalled.
When taking on the position of Deputy Director of the Culture and Sports Center of Bac Tra My district, former Quang Nam province, he and his colleagues developed a plan to restore the gong fighting custom. Experienced artisans from Tra Bong were invited to teach.
Around 2016, a training class was opened with the participation of 15 Cor youths in Tra Nu and Tra Kot, his youngest son, Mr. Duong Linh, also participated in the class. After the class, young people who know how to play the gong continued to practice, participate in performances at the great unity festival, cultural programs and festivals of the Cor people. From Tra Lien, the gong fighting team was invited to perform in Hoi An, Hanoi and teach to the Cor people in other communes.
Nearly a decade after the first restoration classes, gong playing has returned during cultural activities of the Cor people in Da Nang. In the middle of the great forest, a new gong sound echoes again. And perhaps, the journey to revive a heritage also begins from such small sounds.
