Tay woman uses Then melodies to communicate on COVID-19

(VOVWORLD) - Nguyen Thi Phuong of the Tay ethnic group in Cu Mgar district, Dak Lak province, is known for using Then singing – a folk music genre of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, to communicate on the pandemic. Phuong is a member of a anti-COVID-19 group in her locality. In her free time, Phuong finds songs about COVID-19 and turns them into Then songs. Her Then music videos have attracted large numbers of views on Facebook and YouTube.

Tay woman uses Then melodies to communicate on COVID-19 - ảnh 1Phuong’s videos on Facebook and YouTube have attracted thousands of views and hundreds of comments and shares (Photo: VOV)

The lyrics of the Then songs sung by Nguyen Thi Phuong are simple describing the regulations of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and the hard work of medical staff, public security forces, and the army in fighting this pandemic.

Nguyen Trung Hai, a Tay man in Quang Phu town, Cu Mgar district, said: “Phuong’s performance is very impressive in her singing and lyrics. Her songs encourage people to fight COVID-19. By using folk songs, Phuong makes communicating about pandemic more effective”.

Phuong, who has served as head of the local Fatherland Front branch and head of the local Women’s Association, taught herself to play the Tinh Tau, a Tay stringed instrument, and sing Then songs, and began participating in local movements. Phuong joined the local Then club, performed in a number of competitions, and won several prizes.

Phuong says Then singing is very popular with Tay and Nung people. “I’m very happy to have received a positive response from so many people. Despite my busy work, I still spend time finding songs about COVID-19 and arranging them as Then melodies to foster communication about fighting the pandemic”.

Tay woman uses Then melodies to communicate on COVID-19 - ảnh 2Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong performs Then singing in a festival in Cu Mgar district (Photo: VOV) 

As many Tay and Nung workers have returned home from pandemic hot spots, encouraging people to cooperate in preventing the spread of the virus is very important right now.

Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Hai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front branch in Cu M’gar commune, said: “Phuong is very active in local movements. She is very creative in using Then singing to communicate about COVID-19. Thanks to her effort, communications in Cu Mgar district have been more effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

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