Ethnic minority people in Gia Lai province collect bamboo and rattan to “make clothes” for their gongs. Apart from decorative purposes, weaved bamboo and rattan frames are made to preserve the musical instrument, which is native to the Central Highlands region.
As gongs have long had an important role in the spiritual life of the Jarai ethnic minority in the border commune of Ia O in Ia Grai district, local people are doing what they can to preserve and promote the cultural values the instruments hold. “Making clothes” for gongs by weaving bamboo and rattans is part of such efforts.
Local artisans are responsible for bending and shaping the “clothing” frames before passing them on to their children for weaving. They are also in charge of teaching the younger generation how to design patterns on this “clothing”.
With a passionate love of gongs, the Mit Jep people have taught their children how to play them and preserved the traditional instrument so that the gong culture will never fall into oblivion.
Weaving “clothes” for gongs not only helps p⛦rotect the gongs but also preserves the traditional culture of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlan𒁏ds./.
