Preserving the Tho ethnic lullaby

In Yen Luong Commune, Thanh Son District, the only Tho ethnic community in Phu Tho Province has lived in harmony and unity for over half a century. The Tho people have nurtured a rich tradition of compassion, neighborly love, and strong community bonds. Many time-honored customs and practices in how they treat each other—and their relationship with nature—have been passed down from generation to generation, becoming a way of life and a cultural identity.

Mrs. Ha Thi Chom (from Quat hamlet, Yen Luong) gently teaches traditional lullabies to her children and grandchildren.

In the 1950s and 60s, Mrs. Ha Thi Chom, now 82, was among the first Tho migrants from Da Bac, Hoa Binh Province, to settle in this ancestral land. Life then was full of hardships, but the songs of the Tho people never faded. In fact, they grew deeper, more soulful. Their melodies became a source of strength and spiritual nourishment, helping each generation grow up with love for family, homeland, and a deep reverence for their roots.

“We Tho people love singing,” said Mrs. Chom. “Whenever we sing, the burdens of daily life seem to lift. We sing on our way to the fields, over hills and through valleys. We sing while threshing and pounding rice, rocking our babies to sleep, or sending love to someone far away. We sing anytime, anywhere—under the moonlight, at festivals, whether happy or sad; singing brings warmth and comfort to our hearts.”

Lullabies are a cornerstone of the Tho people’s folk song tradition. Men, women, young and old—all sing lullabies. These songs do more than soothe babies; they carry deep emotions, a love for life, and dreams of prosperity. The lyrics are filled with imagery from everyday life—rivers, streams, rice fields, and the changing seasons—painting a picture of the world through the lens of the Tho soul.

Sitting by her front door, Mrs. Chom and her eldest daughter-in-law softly hum a lullaby. Drawn by the familiar tune, the children gather around, eyes wide, small hands clasping her wrinkled fingers. As the lullaby begins, a sense of warmth fills the air, wrapping everyone in its gentle embrace:

“Oh... oh... oh... / Oh... oh... is... / The fish is short-tailed. / The fish is short-tailed... / Disparaging the tadpole frog. / The horse’s hoof is hollow-hearted. / The bee is close-minded. / Praising the hardworking bee. / Listening to the crow’s husband. Listening to the crow caring for its children. Carrying its children to fly to the sky/where the deer is going downhill./ Clearing the fields... the fields... / On this side of the field, the bananas are ripening... The mulberries are ripening... Chopping a branch of mulberry/chopping three branches of starfruit leaves/ Let Dad go to the fields to sleep/Let Mom go to the fields to sleep...”

Even now, at her age, Mrs. Chom still remembers and sings many lullabies in the Tho language. As she cradles her not-yet-two-year-old grandchild, the familiar melody once again lulls the child to sleep. Her voice trembles slightly—weighted with emotion. “Lullabies are passed down by word of mouth,” she said. “But not many people know them anymore. I’m afraid these songs will fade away with the older generation...”

Driven by that fear, Mrs. Chom is committed to teaching her children and grandchildren the lullabies of their people. She believes that preserving this tradition within families is the key to ensuring these songs continue to echo in the homes and hearts of Tho families in Yen Luong—like a river that never runs dry.

Today, life in the Tho village has changed. Living conditions have improved. Amid the fast pace of modern life and shifting cultural values, the lullaby remains a sacred part of the Tho people’s soul. For every Tho child growing up in Yen Luong, the lullaby is more than a song—it is a thread connecting past and future, weaving together identity, memory, and love.

Thuy Phuong