Musical Instruments in the Cultural Life of the Xơ Đăng Ethnic Group In Quảng Ngãi

Abstract

In this paper, entitled "Musical Instruments in the Cultural Life of the Xơ Đăng Ethnic Group in Quảng Ngãi, Vietnam (Chordophone)," the author conducts an in-depth study of folk musical instruments in the social life of the Cadong people, a sub-ethnic group of the Xơ Đăng ethnic group, who have long settled in the eastern foothills of the Trường Sơn mountain range in the northwest of Quảng Ngãi province, Vietnam. The paper will systematically present issues related to Xơ Đăng’s chordophone, including classification, material, structure, and crafting methods; playing techniques, performance environments, and instrument features; and the system of compositions of the Xơ Đăng’s chordophone (V'roac, Goong, Kaní, and Rauốt). This study was conducted based on the results of the author's survey and fieldwork in the following Xơ Đăng villages: Sơn Bua, Sơn Tân, Sơn Mùa, Sơn Dung (in Sơn Tây district), Trà Kem, and Trà Xinh (in Tây Trà district) in Quảng Ngãi province.