Gongs and drums of the Co Tu
VOV.VN - Gongs and drums are the most popular musical instruments of the Co Tu in Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province. They are used in community events.
Co Tu men beat drums at a festival. |
The big drums create dominant and resounding sounds, while the medium and small ones keep the rhythm.
Pnong Plenh in Lang commune said “Gongs and drums are the most important assets of the Co Tu. They beat gongs and drums to begin festivals, wedding, and funeral ceremonies. In a procession, the gongs go first, which are followed by cymbals and drums. The drums go in set of 3: a big, a medium, and a small one.”
The Co Tu said the drum is the source of aspiration for dances. When the drums and gongs are beaten, Co Tu girls walk on the stage. They are followed by men. If the dance has many people, women will be circled by men which means men protect women and girls.
The first man beats the gong and other drumers follow him. |
The Co Tu believe that drums and gongs have souls whose sounds call for bumper crop and good health. The sounds of drums and gongs are familiar in festivals, worship rituals, and ceremonies.
“In the past, there was no telephone. People live scatterly. The sounds of gongs and drums informed people of what were happening: a community meeting, a sick person, or a hunt. A drum call or three drum calls have their meaning,” A Lang Tung explained.
Gongs and drums are closely associated with the religious and cultural life of ethnic minority groups. They are valuable assets of the community and typical parts of their intangible culture heritages including singing, dancing, and festivals.