The performance of Tac Xinh dance by San Chay ethnic group

Preserving and promoting the values of Tac Xinh dance heritage not only has educational significance for future generations, awakening pride in the unique identity of San Chay community, but also encourages community unity and contributes to the cultural life development of Thái Nguyên province. With the function and task of researching, collecting, inventorying, preserving, displaying, propagating, and promoting the traditional cultural heritage of the Vietnamese ethnic groups nationwide, over the years, the Cultural Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minority Groups has collaborated with artisans of ethnic groups to organize many performances to promote and advertise the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups, including Tac Xinh dance of San Chay people. In 2023, implementing the national target program for socio-economic development of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas in 2023 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Cultural Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minority Groups collaborated to organize the program “Building a model for preserving and promoting Tac Xinh dance, San Chay ethnic group, Tuc Tranh commune, Phu Luong district, Thái Nguyên province, year 2023”. The goal is to encourage and motivate the people to participate in training programs and activities related to cultural preservation, thereby creating spiritual motivation, unity, and consensus, and the drive for the people to strive for sustainable poverty reduction and contribute to the socio-economic development of the locality; helping people of all classes raise awareness and understanding of their ethnic identity, thereby preserving, protecting and promoting their ethnic identity.

A representative from Dong Tam hamlet presented a set of San Chay ethnic percussion instruments to the Cultural Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minority Groups

The training class was conducted in Dong Tam hamlet and involved 5 knowledgeable elders who were well-versed in the various Tac Xinh dance moves. 50 trainees participating in the training class included local residents from Tuc Tranh commune, students from Tuc Tranh Secondary School and High School. Among them, the oldest student was over 50 years old, while the youngest was 10 years old. In each class, the trainees were taught and guided for practicing various traditional Tac Xinh dance moves, delved into the origins, content and significance of these dances, learned the craft of making musical instruments from bamboo and plum trees and engaged in musical performances...

Ninh Thi Anh Thu, a 14-year-old student from Tuc Tranh Secondary School, Tuc Tranh commune, Phu Luong district, said: As a child of San Chay ethnic community living in Dong Tam village, she, like many other students, wishes to gain more understanding of her ethnic culture. They were taught beautiful and useful dances and movements such as the pigeon dance, field clearing, and seed sowing… from which she can teach her classmates. She feels very happy and proud that her ethnic culture is being continued and passed down through generations.

Although he is 50 years old this year, still working and taking care of family responsibilities, Mr. Tran Van Hai from Dong Tam village, Tuc Tranh commune, enthusiastically participates in the class. He said: Although I am old, I still registered for this class. Whenever the class takes place, we, many generations from young to old, gather together to practice the dances and movements, which are simple but have great significance. According to Mr. Hải, this is also an opportunity for the community to meet, exchange, and strengthen unity.

Mr. Le Minh Thao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Tuc Tranh commune, said: The commune has over 9700 residents, distributed in 19 villages, with ethnic minorities accounting for 35%, of which San Chay people make up 30%. It is an agricultural commune, where the main economic development is through agricultural and forestry models, mainly focusing on tea cultivation and hillside economy. Currently, San Chay community in the commune still preserves some unique traditional cultures such as Sang Co singing and Tac Xinh dancing in the annual harvest festival.

Mr. Nguyen Canh Phuong, Deputy Director of the Cultural Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minority Groups, presented 30 sets of San Chay ethnic costumes and a set of percussion instruments to Dong Tam village, Tuc Tranh commune, to preserve and serve for performance activities and cultural exchanges

Mr. Nguyen Canh Phuong, Deputy Director of the Cultural Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minority Groups affirmed: Through the program of the class, it has helped the students understand the history, content, and meaning, as well as the performance form of Tac Xinh dances in the cultural life of the people, while also spreading these values within the community. Although the students are of different ages, environments, and approaches, they all share a common interest and passion for Tac Xinh dances. Therefore, after a short period, most of the students have memorized and can perform with pride in the unique cultural heritage of their ethnicity.

In the coming time, to continue preserving and promoting the ethnic cultural identity through Tac Xinh dance of San Chay ethnic community in Tuc Tranh commune, Phu Luong district, the Cultural Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minority Groups will develop programs and plans to bring artisans to teach the dance to the museum staff. Currently, the unit can perform some typical excerpts from this dance for visitors to see. In addition, the unit will also continue to collaborate with artisans to conduct in-depth research and continue conservation research programs in the future.