The Central Highlands province of Gia Lai has accelerated its efforts to preserve a traditional form of oral storytelling, knows as Bahnar epics, which are fading away in the locality.
For the past few decades, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched studies of the Bahnar epics, which recount legends about the group’s heroes and great events. These poems and stories have been collected and preserved.
One of these tales, the epic of Dam Noi, was first discovered in the 1980s in Kong Chro. Other epics found in the region have been translated and published bilingually.
Currently, there are more than 20 storytellers across the province who know 70 Bahnar epic poems by heart .
On April 24, the epics received national intangible heritage recognition. This will help promote them and facilitate further research, collection and preservation.
The province has also asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to bestow the local storytellers with ‘excellent artisan’ titles.
The Central Highlands region, which comprises the five provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum, is home to stunning mythical landscapes and a significant population of diverse ethnic minorities and cultures./.
For the past few decades, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched studies of the Bahnar epics, which recount legends about the group’s heroes and great events. These poems and stories have been collected and preserved.
One of these tales, the epic of Dam Noi, was first discovered in the 1980s in Kong Chro. Other epics found in the region have been translated and published bilingually.
Currently, there are more than 20 storytellers across the province who know 70 Bahnar epic poems by heart .
On April 24, the epics received national intangible heritage recognition. This will help promote them and facilitate further research, collection and preservation.
The province has also asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to bestow the local storytellers with ‘excellent artisan’ titles.
The Central Highlands region, which comprises the five provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum, is home to stunning mythical landscapes and a significant population of diverse ethnic minorities and cultures./.
