Born in 1975 into a family with a revolutionary tradition, H’Broi was raised in an environment filled with the resonant sounds of gongs played by her father and the gentle folk melodies sung by her mother. She naturally developed a deep love for M’nong culture.
H’Broi said, "I have known and memorized these folk songs since I was a child. At home, I listened to her singing lullabies to my younger siblings and later to my nieces and nephews. Those melodies became a part of me. Whenever our village held a festival, I would follow my mother and perform. Learning to sing folk songs isn't too difficult. The key is to listen carefully, remember the melodies, and keep practicing."
For the M’nong people, folk songs are a living record of the community's history, customs, traditions, and moral values. From gentle lullabies and call-and-response songs to the epic chants of Ot Ndrong, each song carries the wisdom of ancestors and teaches love, solidarity, and the value of hard work.
In Ja Rah village, H’Broi is widely regarded as a "living treasure". Today, she’s a performer and a devoted mentor, passing these traditions on to younger generations.
Raised in the rich musical tradition of her family, H’Nhu, H’Broi's daughter, has inherited her mother's passion for M’nong culture. Since childhood, she has taken part in the village's cultural activities, learning traditional songs and dances beside her mother. She now serves as leader of the M’nong Folk Dance Group in Nam Nung commune.
"I’ve followed my mother to singing and dancing rehearsals since I was a child. As the leader of the commune’s folk dance troupe, I had many opportunities to learn M’nong folk songs and traditional dances," Nhu said.
H’Broi and her daughter perform at every festival and folk culture event. As the sound of gongs echoes through the village, H’Broi's soulful voice brings M’nong songs to life, while her daughter complements the performance with graceful, rhythmic dancing.
In recent years, the Nam Nung Commune Folk Arts Group has taken part in many folk festivals and cultural exchange events across Vietnam, earning a number of prestigious awards.
"For many years, H’Broi and her daughter have worked to preserve and pass on our traditional culture to younger generations. At the 2024 National Folk Culture Festival in Quang Tri province, our arts troupe won 9 awards, including 4 first prizes, along with several second and third prizes in different performance categories," said H’Thương Knul, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the People's Council of Nam Nung commune.
Artisan H’Broi continues her family's legacy through her unwavering commitment to preserve the cultural heritage of the M’nong people. Through the lullabies she sings, the folk songs she teaches, and the graceful dances performed by her daughter, the traditions of the M’nong community continue to thrive.
