Gongs – Echoes of Central Highlands Forests & Mountains

Generations of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands have used gongs to convey their innermost sentiments and communicate with their deities.

The Central Highlands gong culture spreads across 5 provinces – Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong. The musical instrument has been practiced by Ba Na, E De, Co Tu, M’Nong and Gia Rai ethnic groups. (Photo: VNA)

The gong cultural space was recognised as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. (Photo: VNA)

M’Nong people in Jun hamlet, Lak district, Dak Lak province play gongs at a ceremony to pray for the health of their elephants. (Photo: VNA)

A Xo Dang girl plays a gong. (Photo: VNA)

Patriarch of Jun hamlet Y Tong Drang tests the sound of gongs. (Photo: VNA)

Gia Rai people play gongs at a grave-leaving ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Folk artisans from the Central Highlands play gongs at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

M’Nong children in Jun hamlet learn to play gongs. (Photo: VNA)

The musical instrument has become a tourist attraction in the land of forests and mountains. (Photo: VNA)

A gong performance (Photo: VNA)

Foreign tourists dance to the sound of gongs performed by M’Nong artisans inside a traditional long house.(Photo: VNA)

VNA