Thai people’s Keeng Loong dance preserved in Mai Chau

12/26/2021 - 12:14:38 PM

(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.

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