A couple of Jarai group in their wedding. (Photo: VNA) Gia Lai(VNA) - Artisans in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) are asking for financialsupport from local authorities to preserve ethnic Jarai epics, oral folkliterature that is now known by the elderly only.
The oral epics, calledKhan, have been handed down from one generation to the next. They containverses and songs within thousands of words that are easy to learn by heart.
Khan features the myths, legends and stories of brave and compassionate localpeople.
In the past, Jaraipeople sang Khan every day after hard work in the fields.
Singing helped them become stronger and happier in their lives and work.
Today, very few young people know or sing Khan.
“Old villagers who collected and taught the epics have passed away. A decadeago, our village had only three artisans familiar with Khan. After their death,no one has taught the art to youngsters,” said Puih Binh, head of Jut villagein Ia Grai district.
Khan contains stories about the lives of Jarai people, describing the spirit oftheir society, natural calamities and social relations, told in a boasting,heroic and impressive style.
"We hope local authorities, cultural researchers and old villagers worktogether to preserve Khan because ethnic minorities, Jarai people in particular,can’t survive without their traditional culture," he said.
Ksor Sep, who livesin Brel village in Ia Grai district and has spent more than 40 years learningand singing Khan, said: “I began learning the art from my father when I was achild. I travelled around the region to collect the epics performed by theelderly and teach local youngsters.”
“I want to share mylove of Jarai culture with young people,” added the 60-year-old.
In recent years,Ksor has had difficulties delivering his art to youth.
Modern life iscoming to our villages day by day. Youths have more choices for entertainmentand fewer chances to learn singing Khan.
Meanwhile, there arefew ethnic artisans able to introduce the epics.
Phan Xuan Vu, Directorof the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the provincehas only 50 artisans, mostly elderly, who can offer Khan teaching.
“Khan has played a role in Tay Nguyen’s folk culture. It should be preserved bynot only the elderly but also by younger generations,” he said.
Vu believes that themost effective method for preserving Khan epics is to expand teaching atschools.
“In addition, the oral tradition of reciting the works should also beencouraged more frequently during local activities and festivals,” he said.
“To expand the art,provincial cultural authorities should work more closely with artisans torecord tapes and write books and other documents on Khan,” said Ksor, addingthat more financial support from the province should also be given to helplocal artisans develop their work.-VNA
The oral epics, calledKhan, have been handed down from one generation to the next. They containverses and songs within thousands of words that are easy to learn by heart.
Khan features the myths, legends and stories of brave and compassionate localpeople.
In the past, Jaraipeople sang Khan every day after hard work in the fields.
Singing helped them become stronger and happier in their lives and work.
Today, very few young people know or sing Khan.
“Old villagers who collected and taught the epics have passed away. A decadeago, our village had only three artisans familiar with Khan. After their death,no one has taught the art to youngsters,” said Puih Binh, head of Jut villagein Ia Grai district.
Khan contains stories about the lives of Jarai people, describing the spirit oftheir society, natural calamities and social relations, told in a boasting,heroic and impressive style.
"We hope local authorities, cultural researchers and old villagers worktogether to preserve Khan because ethnic minorities, Jarai people in particular,can’t survive without their traditional culture," he said.
Ksor Sep, who livesin Brel village in Ia Grai district and has spent more than 40 years learningand singing Khan, said: “I began learning the art from my father when I was achild. I travelled around the region to collect the epics performed by theelderly and teach local youngsters.”
“I want to share mylove of Jarai culture with young people,” added the 60-year-old.
In recent years,Ksor has had difficulties delivering his art to youth.
Modern life iscoming to our villages day by day. Youths have more choices for entertainmentand fewer chances to learn singing Khan.
Meanwhile, there arefew ethnic artisans able to introduce the epics.
Phan Xuan Vu, Directorof the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the provincehas only 50 artisans, mostly elderly, who can offer Khan teaching.
“Khan has played a role in Tay Nguyen’s folk culture. It should be preserved bynot only the elderly but also by younger generations,” he said.
Vu believes that themost effective method for preserving Khan epics is to expand teaching atschools.
“In addition, the oral tradition of reciting the works should also beencouraged more frequently during local activities and festivals,” he said.
“To expand the art,provincial cultural authorities should work more closely with artisans torecord tapes and write books and other documents on Khan,” said Ksor, addingthat more financial support from the province should also be given to helplocal artisans develop their work.-VNA
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