A heritage at risk
On dark nights in Kavin Paris Village, Lam Dot Commune, A Luoi District, flickering flames illuminate the faces of villagers who listen attentively as elders recount the epic tale of ‘A Chat’.
Sparks rise from the fire inside the communal house, while elder Ra Pat Trinh’s storytelling rings out, captivating his audience.
He tells the legend of ‘A Chat’, a young man raised in the village who grows up to defend his homeland against enemies, resolve conflicts between neighbouring communities, and preserve unity.
A Chat demonstrates extraordinary strength in hunting, farming, rebuilding the village after a great flood, and enduring personal trials to win the love of his wife.
Today, however, this cherished story faces the risk of being forgotten. Elder Ra Pat Trinh laments that while ‘A Chat’ was once passed down through fireside storytelling, the decline of communal activities and the growing separation of families have made this tradition difficult to sustain.
The epic is lengthy and must be told continuously, often involving many storytellers. Yet, few young people can recall its full version today.
Elder Ho Thanh Xoa of A Ngo Commune admits that while his father and grandfather could recount the epic throughout the night, he now remembers only half the story.
Modern approaches to preserving ‘A Chat’
As traditional storytelling declines, many individuals are striving to safeguard this cultural treasure.
Dr. Ke Suu, Deputy Head of the National Assembly delegation of Hue City, has been instrumental in collecting and publishing the book The Epic ‘A Chat’.
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| The worshiping ritual inside the house of Ta Oi people during the festival praying for a favourable harvest. (Photo: Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism) |
From 2000 to 2015, she documented ‘A Chat’ as told by Quynh Hiem, a renowned Ta Oi storyteller. "Hiem was a living witness to stories that have transcended time. He passed on the precious verses of the Ta Oi people before his passing in 2015 at the age of 103," she reflects.
Dr. Ke Suu’s research has since been integrated into local educational programmes, helping younger generations—both within and beyond Ta Oi and Pa Co communities—gain a deeper understanding of their ethnic heritage.
"We want these values not just to be heritage stored in books but to become an important part of the community’s cultural life," she emphasizes.
She has also proposed adapting ‘A Chat’ into films and theatrical performances to help locals and visitors appreciate its profound cultural significance.
Le Thi Them, Head of the Office of Culture, Science, and Information of A Luoi District, notes that promoting ethnic cultural products—including ‘A Chat’—has recently emerged as a key strategy for preserving heritage and developing community-based tourism. However, she acknowledges that promotional efforts remain limited to books, newspapers, television, and posters.
She stresses that cultural agencies have yet to develop effective initiatives to transform folk stories into short clips or popularize them on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
In today’s digitally connected world, recording and disseminating ‘A Chat’ through modern technology would not only preserve it but also ensure it reaches wider audiences.
The active participation of researchers, storytellers, and young people in safeguarding traditional cultural values - especially through social media - will help ‘A Chat’ endure in the hearts of the Ta Oi and Pa Co ethnic communities and those who cherish Viet Nam’s rich heritage.
