Khmer ethnic Chan dance breathes new vitality in Tây Ninh

Revival of the Centuries-Old Chằn Dance in Tây Ninh Province

Tây Ninh Province, located in southern Vietnam, is making strides in preserving and promoting ethnic folk traditions as part of its socio-economic development strategy. The revival of the centuries-old Chằn dance, a significant part of major Khmer festivals, is one such initiative.

The Chằn dance, a masked performance with stylised body movements, is being revived in Tây Ninh. Artisans from Cần Thơ City and Vĩnh Long Province have been invited to train the younger generation, with 18-year-old Binh Na Quinh and 22-year-old Phan Đết, young performers from Ninh Điền Commune, eagerly learning the dance.

The revival of Chằn dance is not just a cultural endeavour, but also a means to protect cultural identity and spur socio-economic development in Tây Ninh. The province aims to enrich cultural life, foster national pride, expand cultural tourism, and showcase local heritage on both national and international stages.

Monk Kiên Sô Phát, the abbot of Bôtum Kiri Răngsây Pagoda in Bình Minh Ward, has emphasised that rapid social and cultural changes have long posed a threat to traditional performing arts. He is among the monks, nuns, and traditional cultural aficionados working together to revive the traditional five-tone orchestras for Chằn dance performances.

In recent years, many pagodas and Khmer communities have begun to reintroduce the Chằn dance into their celebrations. Ngô Tư Lê, a member of the province's Literature and Arts Association, emphasizes the importance of recording and passing on folk songs, dances, and musical genres to prevent their disappearance.

The Tây Ninh Party Committee views tourism as a key sector for development. With a goal to transform the Bà Đen Mountain tourist area into a national-level destination, the province works to preserve and promote unique cultural values by turning art forms that reflect ethnic identity into distinctive tourism products.

The revival and promotion of ethnic folk traditions are seen as a significant part of the national target programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2022-2030. This effort aims to demonstrate the efficacy of preservation work amidst deep global integration.

The search results do not provide the name of the head of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association in Tây Ninh who contributes to preserving and promoting traditional Khmer culture. However, their efforts, along with the dedication of the community, are evident in the revival of the Chằn dance, which serves as a testament to the province's commitment to cultural preservation and socio-economic development.