The sound of gongs opens the way to the Cor cultural space
The sound of Cor gongs echoes loudly, opening up a unique cultural space at the thematic exhibition "Cor people's cultural space - Living heritage in the great forest", organized by the Da Nang Museum in coordination with the People's Committee of Tra Lien commune and the Da Nang Library, from the afternoon of May 29 to the end of June 1.
With more than 70 documents, images, 20 artifacts and experiential activities such as gong fighting, ca dao dance, weaving, traditional cuisine, the exhibition brings the public closer to Cor cultural life - where heritage is not only displayed, but also awakened by sound, colors and artisan hands.
Right from the display area, images of the rooftop village, Neu tree, festivals, weaving craft, working life and activities of the Cor people are arranged closely, creating a feeling like a slice of highland life being brought into the exhibition space.
Not only viewing artifacts, local people and students also directly listen to gongs, watch ca dao dances, learn how to weave handicrafts, enjoy bamboo rice, rock snails, water spinach and highland products. These experiences make the exhibition not stop at an exhibition, but become a lively meeting between heritage and community.
Mr. Tran Van Duc - Deputy Director of Da Nang Museum said that organizing exhibitions at the facility is not simply a professional activity of the museum, but also a way to concretize the policy of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, especially in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.
Bringing exhibition activities to the grassroots level is to bring museums closer to the public. Heritage is not only in glass cabinets or on introduction boards, but must be seen, heard, practiced and continue to live in the lives of the people" - Mr. Duc emphasized.
Bringing Cor culture closer to the younger generation
The thematic exhibition is divided into 4 main sections of content. The section "Rains and Identity" introduces natural landscapes, rooftop architecture and working habits of the Cor people. The section "Heritage in the Great Forest" depicts spiritual life associated with mountains and forests, with the Neu tree, gong sounds, ca dao dance and traditional festivals such as buffalo eating, celebrating new rice.
Meanwhile, the "Heritage - Continuing Flow" section introduces efforts to teach heritage to the younger generation, while linking culture with livelihood through Tra My cinnamon products - a typical brand of the highlands. The "Spreading Knowledge" space co-implemented by the Da Nang Library brings mobile library cars, bookshelves donated to schools and reading areas to serve local people and students.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Vuong - Chairman of Tra Lien Commune People's Committee, the exhibition is an opportunity for local people, especially the younger generation, to better understand the cultural origins of their community.
For the Cor people, the sound of gongs, Neu trees, dances, weaving, or traditional dishes are all associated with village memories. When these values are put into the display space and artisans directly perform, young people will see that the culture of their ethnic group is not unfamiliar, not outdated, but very close and proud" - shared the leader of Tra Lien Commune People's Committee.
In the traditional craft performance area, Cor artisans patiently guide students in each weaving movement, each gong beat. For them, each basket, each pattern, each gong beat is not just a handicraft skill or performance, but a memory passed down through many generations.
Artisan Nguyen Thi Phuong, (90 years old, Lang Gach village, Tra Lien commune) participating in the weaving performance at the exhibition, said that the traditional craft of the Cor people requires meticulousness, patience and understanding of forest materials.
“In the past, almost everyone in the village knew how to weave baskets, weave bamboo poles, and weave items for life. Now young people do less, so every time I have the opportunity to guide the children, I am very happy. I hope the children will not only watch to know, but also learn to preserve the craft of their grandparents” - artisan Phuong said.
The exhibition atmosphere became more exciting when local artisans performed gong fights and ca dao dances. The sound of gongs echoed in the schoolyard, harmonizing with the rhythm of the artisans' feet, pulling viewers into the festival space of the Cor people - where people send their faith and gratitude to the mountains and forests and gods.
According to the Organizing Committee, although an exhibition space cannot fully recreate the rich cultural life of the Cor people, the selected documents, artifacts and experiential activities all aim to tell a story about a community that is persistently preserving heritage in the Truong Son great forest.
