An “elephant king” chair made from elephant’s bones and tusks. (Photo: cand.com.vn) Lam Dong (VNA) - Retired policeofficer Dang Minh Tam is passionate about preserving the artefacts of ethnicgroups in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region.
Tam, 59, who lives in the Central Highlandsprovince of Lam Dong, is a member of the province’s UNESCOclub for Vietnamese antique research and collection.
Over the last 30 years, he has found more than3,000 artefacts that symbolise the culture, religion and beliefs of ethnicpeople living in the region, including the Xe Dang and Ba Na in Kon Tumprovince, Gia Rai in Gia Lai province, E Dê and M’Nong in Dak Lak and DakNong provinces, and K’Ho, Chau Ma and Churu in Lam Dong province.
Among his finds are hunting tools for land andunderwater, forging tools, musical instruments, weaving and farm tools,and household utensils.
He is also proud of his collection oftraditional costumes, jewelry and hundreds of bamboo wicker backpacks used byvarious ethnic groups in the Central Highlands.
Born in the northern province of Nam Dinh, Tamwas 18 years old when he began work as a police in Lam Dong, where he becamefamiliar with the forest, villages and local residents.
When he left the province, he kept scores ofethnic costumes and musical instruments.
"These things have sentimental value andconnect me with the villagers and this region," he said. “I was reallyimpressed with the diversity of cultural and spiritual life of the people.”
According to the ethnics’ concept of living,each antique or musical instrument contains within it agod, Tam said.
Among the antiques are big terracotta vases ofthe Ba Na made in the 13th century as well as old vases of the Cham.
A prominent artefact in his collection is an“elephant king” chair made from elephant’s bone and tusks, with dozens oftraditional hunting tools attached to the chair.
Tam also owns a vase that has the equivalentvalue of one elephant. In the past, if anyone accidentally killed an elephant,they could give a big vase to the owner of the animal for compensation.
He also owns a vase titled “Mother Holding HerBaby”, which has the equivalent value of 11 buffalos.
Dang Minh Tam in Lam Dong Province can play many kinds of traditional musical instruments of various ethnic groups in the Central Highlands region. (Photo: cand.com.vn) 
Old terracotta vases made by ethnic people in the Central Highlands. (Photo: cand.com.vn) Among the artefacts Tam collects are traditionalcostumes, such as Chau Ma garments made of gong fibres that are morethan 200 years old.
After work, Tam relaxes by playing traditionalmusical instruments or listening to music at his home.
He is especially interested in gong music of theethnic communities in the region.
“During gong festivals, I follow the gongmusicians with a passion to listen and learn, and I finally became a member ofa gong music band,” said Tam, who can play many kinds of traditionalinstruments.
Understanding the ethnic culture has helped himfind antiquities, while his ability to speak K’Ho, Gia Rai and otherlanguages at a basic level has enabled communication with the locals.
"If you do not know their customs, youwon’t be able to find the sources and trace the origin of artefacts," hesaid.
Tam said he had rejected many offers frombuyers, who were ready to pay up to 2 billion VND (88,068 USD)for half of his collection.
“These old things bring great spiritual value tome and cannot be exchanged for anything," he said.
He uses a 300sq.m space in his house to displayhis collection in Da Lat city for visitors and students who want to conductresearch and learn about the Central Highlands culture.
Despite years of collecting and travel, Tamplans to continue to spend his free time looking for more artefacts with theaim of preserving the cultural values of the region.-VNA
VNA
