For generations, the K'toang drum of the Cham H'roi ethnic community in Van Canh Commune, Gia Lai Province, was performed exclusively by men during traditional festivals.

That changed when Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huong challenged a centuries-old custom and became the first woman to master the instrument. Today, she is helping ensure the tradition survives by passing it on to younger generations.

A childhood captivated by the sound of the K'toang

Approaching her 60th birthday, Huong's hands still strike the K'toang with remarkable strength and rhythm, filling the Central Highlands with its distinctive, resonant sound.

She first fell in love with the instrument at the age of 12 while watching her father perform at village festivals.

Whenever he traveled to perform, she eagerly accompanied him, hoping to learn how to play.

At first, her small hands struggled to maintain the rhythm.

But through perseverance and her father's patient guidance, she gradually mastered each beat.

Over time, the K'toang retained its powerful sound while gaining a softer, more expressive quality through her performance.

The K'toang - also known as the courtship drum, friendship drum or dialogue drum - is a traditional instrument of the Cham H'roi people.

It is carved from a hollowed tree trunk and covered with cowhide or horsehide.

The drum is typically performed together with a set of three gongs.

Performances are presented in pairs using a male drum and a female drum.

Movements imitate the walking and jumping of wild animals, blending seamlessly with the sounds of gongs and drums that alternate between gentle, powerful, rhythmic and energetic passages.

For the Cham H'roi community, these performances carry prayers for peace, prosperity and good health.

As a result, the K'toang is regarded as the spiritual heart of many traditional festivals.

Huong explained that K'toang is much more than simply drumming.

"It includes dancing, musical dialogue and even friendly competition," she said.

Through paired performances, players express emotions, share hopes, strengthen community bonds and connect generations through music.

The performance combines musical skill with expressive movement, creating an atmosphere that is spontaneous, joyful and full of vitality.

In 2022, Huong was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan by the Vietnamese state for her contribution to traditional folk performing arts.

She considers the honor both a recognition of her work and an encouragement to continue preserving Cham H'roi cultural heritage.

Passing the rhythm to the next generation

For Huong, protecting the K'toang tradition means more than continuing to perform.

She has dedicated herself to teaching children and young people in her village, believing that preserving the drum also means preserving the cultural identity of the Cham H'roi people in a rapidly changing world.

Her daughter, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, 32, inherited her mother's musical talent and has become a skilled K'toang performer herself.

She now encourages more young people in the village to learn the instrument.

Ngoc Anh said the uniqueness of K'toang lies in its improvisational dialogue between two performers.

Standing face to face, each player dances while striking both sides of the drum, creating what feels like a conversation through rhythm.

"If two people admire each other, the drumbeats become gentle, relaxed and flowing, almost like a heartfelt conversation," she explained. "But if they are teasing each other or issuing a challenge, the rhythm becomes stronger and more abrupt. Every beat expresses emotion."

She believes that this combination of freedom, energy and emotional expression gives the K'toang its enduring appeal.

Inspired by Huong's pioneering example, increasing numbers of young people—especially young women—have begun learning both the K'toang drum and traditional gong performances.

One of them is Thanh Thi Nhi, who said she decided to learn after watching Huong perform.

"I was fascinated by her performance," she said. "Learning about the K'toang also helped me understand how previous generations met, fell in love and built families through this musical tradition. I want to continue learning so I can help preserve the drum of the Cham H'roi people."

According to Nguyen Xuan Viet, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Canh Commune, Huong is the first woman in the locality to be officially recognized as a Meritorious Artisan for K'toang drumming.

The local government has encouraged the teaching of the traditional instrument throughout the Cham H'roi community, while creating opportunities for artisans to perform at festivals across the commune and province.

Authorities also support training programs for younger generations and continue nominating outstanding practitioners for official recognition in order to safeguard this unique cultural tradition.

Ngoc Thu