Returning to Muong Lai in the days of October, golden sunlight spreads a layer of amber on the hillsides, dyeing the space with a brilliant and gentle autumn color. Stilt house roofs appear and disappear in the early mist; on the fields, the early cold breeze carries the scent of fragrant rice, etc.

Muong Lai has over 90% of the population being ethnic people. Therefore, this place preserves a rich and unique treasure of folk songs and dances with many folk tunes such as: Khap coi, Luon, Then, Kham hai, Phong slu, etc.; in which, mainly Khap coi singing - folk material taken from the very life and activities of the Tay people. The deep, smooth folk songs are like confidences about life, etc. Whenever the singing voice resounds, it makes the soul relaxed, as if returning to the origin of the captivating Khap coi sentences.

In the traditional stilt house, the regular practice session of the Tay Folk Song Club is always full of eager, passionate members, letting their souls follow the fluctuating melody of the flute sound. The Tay Folk Song Club of Muong Lai commune was established with the desire to keep and preserve the unique folk cultural identity of the Tay ethnic group.

As a proficient person in using ethnic musical instruments along with a smooth singing voice who once followed mothers and sisters to sing Tay folk songs in festivals, Meritorious Artisan Nong Thi Kiem, at present, is teaching the younger generation - members participating in the Club this precious cultural feature.

Meritorious Artisan Nong Thi Kiem shared: We are lucky to continue the cultural flow from the previous generation - the elders who sang ancient Tay folk songs. Now we have collected and preserved the flow, continuing together with the young class to "light up the fire of passion", so that Tay folk songs are transmitted to the future.

Meritorious Artisan Nong Thi Kiem teaching the use of musical instruments.

The enthusiasm and dedication to teaching Tay folk songs of artisans and the elderly have attracted more and more young people to participate in practicing and becoming passionate about the songs of their ethnic group. Under the dedicated guidance and instruction of grandmothers, aunts, and sisters on each meticulous movement, the way to hold and pluck the Tinh lute along with the way to blow the flute and hum the melody, etc. the children have been able to sing the Khap, Coi tunes of their ethnic group. That effort has contributed to preserving, conserving, and promoting the cultural identity of the Tay ethnic group, nurturing and incubating local artistic talents.

Harboring the desire to become an art nucleus, preserving the heritage of folk songs and dances of the Tay ethnic group and spreading love for culture, student Pham Yen Nhi - class 7A, Luc Yen Ethnic Boarding Secondary School, along with her friends, is always present at every practice session. Pham Yen Nhi said: I am very proud of my ethnic culture. I am very happy to be taught the Khap coi tune, playing the Tinh lute, and blowing the bamboo flute by grandmothers and mothers. My friends in the Club and I will together preserve and promote the unique features of Tay ethnic culture.

Teenagers in the Club passionately practicing Tay folk song tunes.

With nearly 40 members, the Tay Folk Song Club of Muong Lai commune is not only a place where artisans pass on experiences, but also a bridge for the Khap coi tune to be preserved and live forever with time.

Ms. Hua Thi Quoc - member of the Tay Folk Song Club of Muong Lai commune hoped that: The club will always be united, promote national pride, and together spread passion contributing to preserving and keeping the precious cultural capital of our ethnic group.

Following the flow of time, the cultural wealth of the Tay people in Muong Lai is always cherished, kept, and preserved by practical actions. The elder generations have passed it down with devotion, while the young embrace it with passion and curiosity - together keeping alive the wellspring of folk melodies that continues to run through the land of Muong Lai.

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