From doing it for fun, swing drum dancing has become an art

In the bustling Spring atmosphere in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, we visited the outstanding artist Nguyen Manh Hoach - the fire keeper of the Swing Drum dance of Dong Thinh commune, Yen Lap district. From afar, the drum dance movements and the strong, decisive sound of the drums echoed throughout the mountains and forests.

After more than 50 years of working with Swing Drums, artisan Nguyen Manh Hoach shared: As a Muong ethnic person, since my childhood, drums, drums, and beats have been attached and deeply absorbed into my soul. But perhaps the most impressive is still the swing drum rhythms. Therefore, when taught by my ancestors, I was passionate about practicing and performing the Swing Drum dance with all my passion.

When the dance performance begins, the main drummer comes onto the stage, bows to the audience, then bangs the drum, then the dance team exits from both sides of the stage. When the second main period starts, the members of the dance team members each hold a pair of coin clappers in their hands and play them to the rhythm of the drum, harmonizing with a unique music, and at the same time performing dance movements in the Muong style. The rhythm of the Drum Swing dance is sometimes intense and sometimes graceful, creating a deep and melodious sound that is both poignant and intense. The sound of drums represents the desire for a prosperous and happy life of working people.

Currently, Drum Swing dance has become a cultural activity of the Muong people during festivals, holidays, new home celebrations, praying for good harvests, and longevity celebrations... From drumming for fun, it has become an art. Initially, Swing Drum dance only used 3 or 5 people. Later, in the process of spreading to the community, the Swing Drum dance was staged with a larger number of participants to make the atmosphere more exciting.

Mr. Hoach’s greatest wish is that the traditional dance of his ethnic group will be handed down and promoted more widely, thereby preserving the cultural quintessence of the whole nation for generations to come. Therefore, from 1986 until now, Mr. Hoach has taught Swing Drum dancing to thousands of people who love this genre. In particular, currently schools in Dong Thinh commune have introduced the Swing Drum dance into their teaching, with Mr. Hoach being the instructor for the students. Through practice sessions, students learn about the origin and artistic value of Swing Drum dance, thereby having more passions about the unique culture of their people.

To preserve and promote cultural values for generations in the Muong Phu Tho ethnic community, in 2023, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Yen Lap district authorities have opened clubs and training classes led by Swing Drum dancers. At the same time, Dong Thinh Commune People’s Committee has introduced the art of swing drum dancing to perform at local events; Participate in festivals, performances, and serve at major events of the district and province. Every year, the commune also provides financial support and creates favorable conditions for the performance team to do practice and performance, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting the artistic values of Drum Swing dance - a precious heritage of the Muong ethnic people in Dong Thinh in particular and Yen Lap district in general.

Thanh Tra