(VOVworld) - During the last days before the traditional lunar New Year, local people in Son Vi village in Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province are rehearsing their drumming to prepare for the village festival, which will take place on the 3^rd day of the first lunar month. The ceremonial drum sound makes passers-by  pause for a moment to pray for good luck.

The ceremonial drum sound plays an important role in the lives of rural people. Ceremonial drums have existed in Vietnam’s rural areas for a long time and are played at major village festivals and in the special occasions of clans. Kieu Trung Hieu, a drumer says: When the ceremonial drums are played, the villagers know a festival or a special occasion is occurring held at the communal house. The ceremonial drum sound inspires people making them feel both sacred and excited”.

Son Vi is an ancient village with a complex of temples and relics dedicated to mandarins and generals in the Hung Kings period. The village is famous for several traditional festivals including the Phet festival held on the 3^rd day of the first lunar month, which has even attracted visitors from neighboring provinces like Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai. Amid the exciting atmosphere of the festival is the eloquent sound of ceremonial drums. Bui Van Thanh, Head of Son Vi’s Elderly Art Club: “In Son Vi, we play ceremonial drums on worshiping days- the 3^rd day of the first lunar month, the 6^th day of the third lunar month, on the gift presenting day on the 10^th of the 10^th lunar month and on new rice worshiping day on the 8^th of the 4^th lunar month. When we clean the temple of the village’s genie on the 18^th day of the 12^th lunar month, we play ceremonial drums. When the drums are played, local people know that the elders of the village are worshiping the village’s genie. They listen to the drum sounds to predict how the future will be”.

Son Vi village plays ceremonial drums five times a year, but the village festival on the 3^rd day of the first lunar month is the most important occasion. An incense offering ceremony is often held before the festival. In the drum beats, the villager elders take turn to worship the village’s genie. The ceremony lasts for one hour and a half, so the drum player must be aware of the steps of the ceremony to play the drum appropriately.

It’s not difficult to play the drum, but it’s difficult to make the drum sound inspire the listeners and create a sacred atmosphere for the ceremony. The ceremonial drums are an inseparable part of Son Vi ‘s village festivals. Bui Van Ky who lives in Son Vi village says: “Ceremonial drums in Son Vi village are played to pray for good luck for people so people often hold still when they hear the sound of the drum. The sounds of Son Vi drums are sacred and solemn”.

Kieu Van Hien, who looks after the Son Vi communal house, says the ceremonial drum sound inspires him to do more charity work. “The drum sound echoing at the ceremony makes the ceremony more solemn and impresses me a lot. I want to continue looking after the communal house to pray for good luck and happiness for my family”, said Hien.

Like the bell, the sound of the drums must excite people and make them happy. It reflects the vitality of life. In the vast space of the rural area, the sound of the drums awakens the nature to favor people with a bumper crop. It takes drum players several days of practicing to perform at ceremonies. Mr. Thanh says: “If the drums sound boisterously, the future will be good meaning that local people will have a favorable year”.

The sounds of ceremonial drums have been imprinted on Son Vi villagers’ souls. Wherever they are, the solemn and boisterous sound of ceremonial drums inspires them to go back home.