Thanh Son Preserves the Senh Tien Dance

In the cultural treasure trove of the Muong ethnic people in Thanh Son, folk performing arts are closely linked to community life, customs, and religious activities. Gong performances, moi dance, bamboo tube striking, trough pounding, vi singing, rang singing, and the senh tien dance... each art form possesses its own unique characteristics, reflecting the rich spiritual life of the Muong people. Among these, the senh tien dance leaves a strong impression through its combination of musical instrument sounds and the rhythmic, graceful movements of the performers.

Residents of Dinh village, Thanh Son commune preserve the senh tien dance.

The special feature of this dance lies in the senh tien—a musical instrument crafted from three pieces of hard wood, combined with metallic coins, serrated edges, and small bells. The first wooden clapper has two pegs attached with coins, while the second has one peg attached with coins, linked together by a short leather strap. The third clapper is shorter, featuring rows of serrated edges along both sides. To make this instrument, artisans must be meticulous in every step, from selecting wood and shaping to attaching coins and carving serrated edges, ensuring it emits a clear, pleasant sound when played.

When performing, dancers hold the two leather-bound wooden clappers in their left hand and the shorter wooden clapper in their right hand like a timekeeping clapper. Tapping, scraping, and shaking movements are executed flexibly, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, creating the clinking sound of coins striking one another, blending with the rustling sound of the serrated edges. The rhythm is at times lively and joyful, and at other times leisurely and graceful, requiring performers to be deft, musically perceptive, and capable of coordinating both hands rhythmically.

Beyond generating sound, every movement contributes to the beauty of the dance. Performers control the instrument to the rhythm while combining gestures, footsteps, and body movements, creating harmony between music and dance. Through this, the senh tien dance demonstrates sophistication in folk art while reflecting the charm and dexterity of the Muong people.

During the Thach Khoan Communal House Festival, the image of graceful Muong maidens performing the senh tien dance has become a highlight in the traditional cultural space. Small wooden clappers resound to the dance rhythm, blending with the performers' soft movements, bringing a festive, lively atmosphere to the event. Through each performance, the dance not only serves the artistic appreciation of locals and tourists but also helps introduce the distinct cultural values of the Muong ethnic group.

Performing the senh tien dance during the Thach Khoan Communal House Festival.

Like many other folk art forms, the senh tien dance faces challenges in preservation. Modern life leaves a portion of adolescents with fewer opportunities to engage with traditional performing arts. Without practitioners, teachers, and regular performance spaces, the skills required to play the instrument, the dance movements, and the cultural values associated with it risk fading over time.

Out of that concern, many people passionate about Muong culture in Thanh Son commune have actively maintained traditional cultural activities. A prime example is Party Cell Secretary of Dinh Village Nguyen Thi Kim Yen—who dedicates much passion to preserving Muong culture—working alongside members of the Muong Ethnic Cultural Preservation Club to regularly practice, perform folk arts, and teach traditional dances and songs to the younger generation.

Practice sessions at the cultural house not only create opportunities for residents to interact but also help the youth get closer to ancestral heritage. The club regularly participates in performances at the Hung Temple Festival, Thach Khoan Communal House Festival, and local holiday occasions.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Yen, preserving Muong culture is not only a responsibility but also a point of pride for every member of the ethnic community. The important thing is helping young people understand, love, and proactively carry forward traditional values, so that dances and songs resound not only during festivals but also feature regularly and spread within community life.

The sounds blending with graceful dance steps during holidays, festivals, or village cultural practice sessions demonstrate that the journey to preserve heritage begins with simple, persistent efforts. When residents join hands in passing down traditions and the younger generation finds joy and pride in ethnic culture, the traditional dance will gain further opportunities to endure through time, contributing to preserving Muong cultural identity in the Thanh Son homeland.

Phuong Thanh