In a small wooden home near the primeval forest of Dak Pne valley, artisan A Gip - now 107 years old - quietly continues to nurture the cultural heritage of the Ba Na ethnic group in Kon Tuc village, Dak Rve commune, Quang Ngai province.

Despite his advanced age and declining strength, A Gip remains deeply attached to the forge - a tradition passed down from his father when he was just a child.

Born in 1918 into a family of traditional blacksmiths, A Gip was personally trained by his father. For him, blacksmithing has never been just a trade - it is a destiny. Though he now requires assistance from his children and grandchildren to lift the hammer, A Gip insists on continuing his craft, if only occasionally, to preserve and pass it on.

“I'm old and weak now, so I need help when forging. My hands aren’t as strong as before. But without the forge, I feel restless,” he said. “Now and then, I fire it up again to keep the tradition alive and teach it to my grandchildren.”

Next to his humble wooden house stands the traditional Ba Na forge where he has spent most of his life. From that furnace, he has shaped thousands of knives, machetes, and hoes - tools essential to Ba Na daily life and agriculture.

A Teo, head of Kon Tuc village, shared: “In Dak Pui hamlet, where A Gip’s family lives, there are 54 households - 30 of them belong to his children and grandchildren. Currently, there are six forges in the hamlet, all run by people who learned from him.”

Mastering blacksmithing requires patience, diligence, and creativity. The tools made here are not only functional but also carry the imprint of Ba Na identity and artistry.

Beyond the forge, A Gip also crafts drums, plays traditional musical instruments, and performs gong music. Though his voice has weakened over time, he continues to teach these arts to younger villagers.

His grandson, A Thinh, recounted: “With drum-making, Grandpa only allows those mature enough to learn. He always reminds us that crafting a good drum takes patience, passion, and deep knowledge of the forest. One must choose the right kind of wood - light, durable, and resonant.”

Even at his age, A Gip never misses a village festival. His deepest wish is that Ba Na traditional crafts and cultural rituals endure forever, so future generations can feel proud of their heritage.

“Within our community, A Gip is seen as a cultural icon,” said A Teo. “He lives simply, is highly skilled in traditional crafts, and deeply knowledgeable in our cultural practices. Thanks to him, our village has preserved many Ba Na traditions.”

Dak Rve commune has a population of nearly 9,000, with over 68% belonging to ethnic minorities. In recent years, the rise of industrial tools has caused traditional blacksmithing to decline. Modern steel tools, produced en masse with high quality and low cost, have largely replaced handmade ones.

Still, thanks to encouragement from local authorities and community leaders, a few artisans like A Gip have continued to quietly preserve and revive traditional blacksmithing.

Tran Van Hien, Vice Chairman of Dak Rve Commune People's Committee, said: “Artisan A Gip has made invaluable contributions to preserving and passing on blacksmithing and gong music in the commune. Recently, we have created plans to conserve and promote traditional crafts in conjunction with tourism development and income generation, including blacksmithing, basket weaving, and brocade weaving.”

Ngoc Chi