Preserving the sound of the Sen Du lute

The Sen Du lute is a traditional musical instrument deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Co Lao ethnic group in Tan Tien Commune. Amid the pace of modern life, local people have actively preserved and promoted the instrument as a way to safeguard the core cultural values of their community.

A Co Lao artisan in Tan Tien Commune instructs learners on how to craft and tune the strings of the Sen Du lute.

In the cultural life of the Co Lao people, the Sen Du lute is played in a wide range of settings, including courtship singing at weddings, antiphonal singing and greetings during housewarming ceremonies, and performances praising the Party and the nation at community gatherings. The instrument also features prominently in forest worship rituals held annually in the first and seventh lunar months. For local people, the sound of the lute not only creates a joyful atmosphere but also ensures the completeness and authenticity of each ritual in accordance with traditional customs.

Beyond its role as a musical instrument, the Sen Du lute is regarded as a “cultural thread” linking the present to ancestral roots, strengthening community bonds and preserving ethnic identity. As such, in important family and village events, the sound of the lute is an indispensable element of the traditional cultural space.

Artisan Min Pha Khay of Ta Chai Hamlet, who has devoted many years to the Sen Du lute, shared that the music is not merely for listening. Through its melodies, people are reminded of customs and traditions, helping younger generations better understand their ethnic way of life. As a result, the presence of the lute at significant occasions brings a sense of wholeness and preserves the “soul” of ancestral heritage passed down through generations.

The Co Lao people account for 11.28% of Tan Tien Commune’s population and mainly reside in several hamlets across the area. In recent years, skilled artisans have worked tirelessly to pass on Sen Du lute knowledge to younger generations through hands-on mentoring at home and instruction during village cultural activities.

Notably, in October 2025, the Tan Tien Commune People’s Committee, in coordination with the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, opened a Sen Du lute training course for Co Lao people. Taught by local artisans Min Pha Khay and Vang Cha Seng, the course attracted 20 participants. Learners received detailed guidance on every step, from crafting the instrument and holding techniques to string tuning and practicing basic melodies, in a friendly and interactive learning environment.

Thanks to these efforts, learning and performing the Sen Du lute in Tan Tien Commune is gradually fostering a healthy cultural environment, enhancing intergenerational exchange, and reducing the risk of cultural erosion. Local authorities have identified the preservation and promotion of the Sen Du lute as a key task, closely linked with sustainable tourism development, aiming to ensure the long-term conservation and wider promotion of Co Lao cultural heritage.

Hong Nhung