Long before Thang Long, present-day Hanoi, covered such a vast area, its boundaries were surrounded by many villages, such as Trieu Khuc (in Thanh Tri District), Hao Nam (Dong Da) and Nhat Tan (Tay Ho). The people in these villages performed a folk dance, widely known by the local people as Bong. As Hanoi expanded and these villages became part of the city, they maintained the distinctive dance.
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Young dancers are instructed by old artisans before their performance |
The origin of this dance isn’t mentioned in any historical documents, but the elders from Trieu Khuc Village state that after Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung (761-802) won the victory, he and his troops set up camp in Trieu Khuc Village . To keep his troops’ spirits high, Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung ordered the local young men to masquerade as women and dance for entertainment. Over the years, the dance was popularized in the surrounding areas and it is always performed at the village festivals nowadays.
Watching the dancers’ skilful movements the audience find it hard to believe the entertainers are men disguised as women. Their costumes include a long, white silk dress, pink brassieres embroidered with glittering beads and five-coloured fringes, a red turban tired in a triangle on the forehead, a pink silk waist band, a black skirt, white trousers and white socks. Their beautiful facial makeup is the envy of any female actress.
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The dancers attract many viewers due to their charming movements |
During the worshipping rituals held in the village’s communal house, when wine is offered to the genies, the folk dance begins. Amid the forceful drumbeats and clanging castanets, the dancers perform wonderfully, twirling and swaying back and forth. Their beautiful performance amid the exciting accompaniment of traditional music always attracts many viewers.
The main musical instrument is the small drum, which is hung in front of each dancer’s chest. When performing they always dance in pairs, their hands pretending to beat the drums, their feet kicking up or stepping out. The most attractive move is two dancers leaning back to back, with their body movements so charming and pliant. According to a traditional thinking, the rhythm of the dance bears in it a belief of prosperity. The dancers going in pairs reflect the harmony between the heaven and the earth, the Yin and Yang, with a wish for clement weather and reproduction of all creatures.
With a deep spiritual significance that shows respect for the ancestors via the cheerful and happy movements, this folk dance always attracts many spectators. Nowadays it is performed not only at village festivals, but also at artistic events, helping to popularize a traditional cultural feature of the thousand-year-old Thang Long – Hanoi.