Tac Xinh Dance: The Cao Lan Variation in the Harvest Prayer Festival
For the San Chay people, particularly the Cao Lan group, wet-rice and swidden agriculture is not just a livelihood but an endless inspiration for cultural and spiritual life. Among their many heritages, the Tac Xinh dance stands out as a unique artistic masterpiece, a "Cao Lan variation" tied to the Harvest Prayer ritual, expressing aspirations for prosperity and community continuity.
Origins and Cultural Context
The San Chay are one of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, with a population of about 201,398 (2019 census), mainly in northern provinces like Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, and Quang Ninh. The community has two main subgroups: the Cao Lan (Tay-Thai language) and the San Chi (Chinese, Cantonese dialect).
The Tac Xinh dance is a cultural product of the Cao Lan subgroup, an agricultural people. Dependent on nature, they created folk dances to convey beliefs and hopes to deities, praying for protection and good harvests. Tac Xinh was born from this agricultural reality, vividly reflecting and stylizing swidden farming activities.
Meaning and Role in Cultural Life
Harvest Prayers and Aspirations
Tac Xinh is not merely entertainment but a sacred ritual in the Harvest Prayer Festival. It is an occasion for the community to express gratitude to heaven, earth, and spirits for past bounty, while praying for favorable weather and prosperous crops. The dance acts as a "supplication" through movement and sound, connecting people with the spiritual world.
A Living Picture of Labor
The most distinctive feature of Tac Xinh is its highly stylized representation of the Cao Lan farming cycle. The dance comprises 9 main movements, forming a complete narrative of a farming season:
- Pathfinding Dance: The start, depicting the search for suitable land.
- Village Founding Dance: Reenacting the selection of land to build a village.
- Clearing Dance: Mimicking the work of clearing fields for planting.
- Subsequent Movements: Describing the process from sowing seeds, tending crops, to harvesting and pounding rice.
- Chim Gau Dance: The final piece, depicting birds signaling the season's end, closing the cycle.
The graceful, rhythmic movements of dancers vividly recreate the diligent labor of Cao Lan farmers.
Artistic and Musical Characteristics
Unique Instruments and Rhythm
Music is vital to the Tac Xinh dance. Traditional accompanying instruments include drums, horns, thanh la, cymbals, bells, and gongs. A distinctive feature is the use of odd rhythms (nhịp lẻ), creating a unique, compelling quality that sets Cao Lan folk dance apart.
Improvisation and Creativity
Cao Lan folk dance, including Tac Xinh, is open and relies heavily on the improvisational skills of performers. This creates richness and diversity, keeping the dance fresh and impressive. The combination of movement skills and dance formations creates a harmonious artistic whole.
Humanistic Values and Contemporary Vitality
Community Bonding and Tradition
Tac Xinh carries profound humanistic values, strengthening community bonds. Widespread participation fosters sharing and empathy among people of shared origins. The festival becomes a space for cultural transmission, teaching gratitude and respect for ancestors and pioneers.
Preservation in the Modern Era
Beyond its value as intangible cultural heritage, Tac Xinh holds aesthetic and spiritual significance. It reflects reality through artistic imagery and helps people connect with nature. Today, the dance has reached wider audiences. At the 3rd Ninh Binh Festival in 2024, artists from the Viet Bac Folk Music and Dance Theatre performed Tac Xinh, creating an impressive highlight that promoted this unique San Chay cultural identity to domestic and international visitors. Preserving this dance is key to maintaining the cultural identity and spiritual life of the San Chay people.
