The unique chau then dance in the spring of Xu Lang

– Chau dance is a dance associated with the then of the Tay ethnic group in Xu Lang. In the past, this dance only appeared in a number of then-religious ceremonies, now, chau then dance is widely performed in the residential community and especially during holidays and Tet in the province.

When Tet comes, at traditional festivals in some localities in the province, tourists can often watch chau then dance. With flexible but decisive movements, chau then dance always creates an impression, attracting the attention and participation of local people as well as visitors to the festivals.

Ms. Pham Thanh Huyen, Nhan Chinh ward, Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi city said: “In 2019, when I went on a spring trip to visit my friends in Lang Son at the time of festivals, I was especially impressed with chau then dance of the ethnic people. At that time, I used my phone to record it. When I returned to Hanoi, I showed it to my friends and everyone was very interested in this unique and fancy dance.”

Chau then dance at Na Sam spring festival, Van Lang district in 2019

Since ancient times, chau then dance is associated with then beliefs. There are many different sessions within chau then dances such as the session to serve the king, the session to serve the general, the session to serve the bird enjoyment, the session of horse stance position … In Lang Son, the popular chau dance used in then is the session to serve the general and the king. Chau dance in each locality in the province has its own characteristics and reflects the spiritual and cultural life of the Tay ethnic people in Xu Lang. Through chau dance, then master as well as the dancer conveyed their aspirations and wishes for happiness, good fortune, peace, health for everyone and for a good and bountiful harvest. With that meaning, over the years, chau then dance is often performed in the traditional festival at the beginning of the new year.

Meritorious artis Phung Van Muon, Deputy Director of the Provincial Arts and Culture Center, said: “In 1996, People’s Artist Trieu Thuy Tien and I collected and edited the tune of chau then dance session to serve the general  of the Tay in Van Quan district and create the lyrics of the then song according to the tune of the chau then dance: “Let’s resound the then song/ The melodious sound of dan tinh with the passionate steps/ Hold hands and dance happily/ The then song, together with the sound of dan then”. Since then, these tunes and songs have been used by us in our performances and are widely used in chau then dance within community activities and especially during holidays and Tet.”

This dance is performed mainly in the form of a group (except the then belief in which it may be performed by a single then master) from 4 people or more (even number of people) and in the shape of a circle, interweaving, etc., therefore the performance of this dance always gives viewers an interesting feeling. Chau then dance in festivals also has the ability to attract a large number of people to participate, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, they just need to know how to dance and have enough couples to be able to “join” the dance.

Mr. Hoang Viet Binh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Folk Song Preservation Association said: “Chau then dance is a unique dance and is one of the precious assets that need to be preserved. Therefore, from 2015 up to now, we have promoted and widely taught chau then dance in the community and encouraged members of the folk clubs to actively perform chau then dance in local spring festivals. Therefore, chau then dance performed at spring festivals is increasingly popular. From 2015 up to now, over 80% of cultural programs at spring festivals in the province include chau dancing when there is then singing.”

At spring festivals, chau then dance is not only performed on stage, but as long as the rhythm of chau dance is played, many people who know how to dance will spontaneously dance with each other, creating a vivid picture imbued with ethnic identity. Chau then dance therefore become one of the beauties of the spring day of Xu Lang.

“Chau dance is a form of then with the rattle-bells shaking in the then master’s hand, sometimes a fan or a red scarf to dance in sessions including session to serve the general, the session to serve the king, “long dang” (horse stance position), “pan teo” (twist the body), biooc (flower)… Chau dance shows the positions in the working life of agricultural residents such as planting, cultivating, pulling and grinding rice and embankment. Chau dance is for congratulation and reverence…”

According to Then Culture Dictionary, editor Hoang Viet Binh, World Publishing House, 2021)