HCM City (VNS/VNA) - With the introduction of modern musical forms, the folk music ofethnic Khmer in the southern region has encountered multiple problems retainingits popular status.

Khmer arts in thesouth have undergone a long process of development and created aunique identity. Khmer folk music has always been supported by locals since itcontains different types of music with melodies associated withthe rhythm of daily life, communal activities and festivals.

The variety of musicalforms include the pentatonic orchestra, Mhory orchestra,wedding orchestra, Sa dam drum performance, À day singing,and lullabies, among other categories.

The music has been'spiritual food' for the Khmer people for many generations.

Composer Thach Mu Nifrom Tra Vinh province says that in the musical form Cham Rieng Cha Pay, theperformer sings and plays Cha pay instruments at the sametime.

The performer conductssinging as a way of storytelling with content sometimes filledwith humour to excite the audience.

The songs’ content isusually about fairy tales, myths and folklore that guide localsto be good people.

Thisspecial, expressive type of performance in 2013 was listed by the Ministryof Culture, Sports and Tourism as a part of national intangible culturalheritage.

Another significant typeof Khmer music is À day, which involves singing indialogue between men and women.

Though its mostcommon form is a duet performance, À day trio and quartetsinging are often performed during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

“Ethnic Khmer groups in the south have inherited a pricelesscultural heritage from their ancestors,” Son Ngoc Hoang, vice principal of SocTrang province’s School of Culture and Arts, said.

“Throughout history,Khmer musical instruments carry a positive meaning in the life of the Khmercommunity, enriching traditional Vietnamese music,” he added.

Meanwhile, MeritoriousArtist Thach Mo Ly from Cao Van Lau Theatre said that Khmer folk music shouldbe preserved because folk music plays an important role in the life ofethnic Khmer in southern provinces.

Fading through time

Despite its uniqueness,Khmer folk music has become less popular due to the introduction of Westernand more modern music genres.

Experts have agreed thatsome types of ethnic Khmer music are on the edge of losing their identity.

Meritorious Artist ThachMo Ly said he is concerned that the number of artists performingKhmer music has declined throughout the years.

Fewer young people,especially ethnic Khmer, are interested in learning folk music, she says,adding that the lack of research and promotion of Khmer musiccontributes to its unpopular status.

Bui Cong Ba from theDepartment of Culture and Information in Kien Giang province said that hehas encountered problems due to limited funding, together with the lack ofartists and instruments.

Many Khmer pagodas in KienGiang do not have a sufficient number of folk musical instruments as well ascultural institutions necessary for the ethnic minority to thrive, he adds.

PhamThi To Thy from Tra Vinh University said that though the University is the onlyofficial institution that has a course on performing Khmer instrumental music,the number of people enrolled remains limited, with only 29 studentsbetween 2012 and 2019.

Thy said thatauthorities should carry out specific measures to raise locals’ awarenessabout the urgency of preserving the beauty of Khmer music in southernprovinces, especially in universities, art schools and other institutions.

The state should also callfor investment to restore a number of special Khmer music types such as ChamRieng Cha Pay, children's songs and lullabies, she said.

Conservation of ethnicKhmer music should go hand in hand with development of local tourism, she added.

According to Hoang,preserving and promoting ethnic Khmer music is important in an era ofinternational integration. 

Preserving the culturalvalues of Khmer music requires a policy that helps locals become trulyaware of the precious heritage that has been passed down by their ancestors./.