(HBO) – Keeng Loong dance is an integral part of the life of Thai people in the northern mountainous district of Mai Chau, which is performed in festivals like new rice festival, Xen ban, Cha chieng and Lunar New Year festival.
Keeng Loong dance – a special cultural identity
of the Thai group in Mai Chau district.
"Loong” is a pestle made from good timber to
create big sounds. Large, straight trees are selected and cut into pieces whose
sizes are decided by artisans. Keeng Loong has its origin in the daily life of
Thai people in Mai Chau. For Thai women, rice pounding is their daily job,
during which they often create pleasant sounds with the pestles that would help
to dispel sadness and worries. Over time, it has gradually become an art
performed during festivals, including new rice festival and wedding. Combined
with gongs, drums and bamboo sticks, it forms a joyful atmosphere. The number
of Keeng Long players depends on Loong’s size and the festival context.
Nowadays, local families no longer use Loong to
pound rice, but Loong has always been a close friend in their spiritual life.
Thai people dance Keeng Long when they are sad, and also when they are happy
like when moving to a new house or in the great national unity festival.
Its sounds can lure people to join festivals no matter what they are
doing and wherever they are.
Currently, in all Thai villages in Mai Chau
district, Keeng Loong is used to welcome tourists, becoming a traditional
cultural identity. Therefore, the preservation and promotion of the dance's
intangible cultural value is very necessary, contributing to meeting cultural
needs of people.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and
Tourism has recently coordinated with the Bureau of Culture and Sports of Mai
Chau district to organise a symposium on Keeng Loong.
The workshop brought together artisans from Tong
Dau, Na Phon, Mai Chau town and Chieng Chau commune. They highlighted the
cultural, scientific, historical and artistic values of Keeng Loong and
contributed ideas to complete a dossier to be submitted to the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism, seeking recognition of Keeng Long as national
intangible cultural heritage. They also proposed orientations and solutions to
preserve and promote values of Keeng Loong.
