The meritorious artist, Ly Van Hue in Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune (Da Bac) is instructing students how to see the traditional calendar Dao ethnic people.

 Keeping the soul of folklore

Being the 7th generation of Bui family in the role of a shaman, Mr. Bui Van Khan in Phong Phu commune (Tan Lac) is proud and responsible for taking care of the spirituality for Muong ethnic people in Muong Bi.

The shaman plays an important role in the spiritual and religious life of the Muong ethnic people. Born in a traditional family working as shaman, from an early age, he was heard and watched his grandfather and father reading Mo songs in the rituals.

For so many generations, Mo words have been passed down by mouth, so that they do not disappear. He has been collecting, recording and compiling customs, beliefs and worshiping offerings. In addition, he has taught his son and some people with qualities and enthusiasm for folklore belief. Many people have performed rituals such as Tet Shaman, worshiping of the earth, weddings, etc.

Efforts to preserve and teach the Nom-Dao scripts

With passion and knowledge of Nom-Dao scripts and to preserve and conserve the culture of Dao ethnic people, he has been collecting, rewriting and disseminating books on spirituality, customary laws and practices of the Dao Tien ethnic people for Dao community in the local areas of the province. The fact that the majority of the Dao people, not only the children but also many middle-aged and elderly people do not know and write and read the ancient Nom-Dao of his people has made him feel regret. Therefore, in addition to collecting and compiling, Mr. Henh has opened free Dao teaching classes for the neighbors and for Dao ethnic people around. Participating in these class, the learners cannot only learn about ancient Dao scripts but they also learn the folk songs of Dao Tien such as: Khia singing, love-response singing, singing at the rituals of the Dao ethnic people, Cheo dancing, bell dancing, dancing ...

Words have spread far away, a lot of people in other communes knowing about these classes have enrolled. From 2008, Mr. Henh has opened 6 classes for over 200 learners of Dao ethnic people in the communes of Cao Son, Vua Nua, Doan Ket, Tan Pheo, Hien Luong and Tu Ly. The learners attending the classes are at all ages, from young children to middle aged people, elderly people and commune officials.

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