Preserving UNESCO-recognised Then singing in Vietnam
People in Vietnam’s northern mountains say that the old Then melodies have a special attraction. The preservation and promotion of Then singing is a major concern of Then artists. People’s Artisan Ha Thuan of Tuyen Quang province has devoted his life to singing and teaching Then. At the age of 80 he still remembers by heart several stories about the old Then melodies of the Tay. Thuan recalls that in the past shamans sang Then at ceremonial rituals for families in the village. When he was small, he often followed senior villagers to worship rituals and the Then singing he heard imprinted itself on his heart and mind. Thuan still spends most of his time collecting and teaching ancient Then melodies to young people. “There was a time when people said Then was superstition. I’m very happy that UNESCO has recognized its value,” says Thuan. “I’m trying to preserve the cultural identity of our group by teaching young people. I tell them that, just as I’m teaching them now, they...