Dac Nong will spend another VND5billion (US$280,000) on a 2010-2014 project to preserve and develop the M’nong’s festivals, gong culture, folk and traditional music.

In 2004, the province approved an initial investment of VND5.7 billion. The project focuses on the M’Nong, the largest ethnic group in Dac Nong.

“Highlighted are efforts to develop centuries-old gong culture,” said Nong Y Thinh, Dac Nong People’s Committee deputy chairman.

The Central Highlands gong culture was recognised as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005.

Ethnic groups in the Central Highlands play the gong during festivals, to commemorate good harvests and to mark special occasions, including the birth of children, weddings and funerals.

“Since 2005, the province has trained more than 500 M’nong youths in playing the gong,” Thinh said.

Hundreds of other young people attend classes in traditional music of ethnic M’nong and nearly 100 young women receive training in brocade weaving.

Researchers have also focused on the restoration and preservation of M’nong traditional ceremonies and customs.

The Dac Nong cultural department recently translated into Vietnamese several M’Nong folk songs and folk stories, including Dan Ca Va Loi Noi Van M’Nong (M’Nong Folk Songs and Rhymes) and Than Gio va Dai Bang (Wind Genie and Eagle).

VietNamNet/VNS