The "Revered Pillars" Tirelessly Preserving the Soul of Raglai Epics

Within the traditional cultural stream of the Raglai people in the highlands of Tay Khanh Son, epic poems (Akhat Jucar) are still preserved and passed down. Prominent among these are the contributions of Meritorious Artisans Cao Thi Quang and Cao Thi Thanh (Thanh Son village). Over the years, with a deep love for their ethnic culture, both artisans have tirelessly preserved and passed on the epics to the next generations.

Efforts to teach and pass down the epics

Traveling up to Khanh Son in the chilly air, white clouds embracing the mountain peaks create an enchanting landscape. Our destination was the home of Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang, who has been devoted to Raglai epic melodies for more than 65 years. When we arrived, Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang was conversing with members of the Mass Arts Troupe of Tay Khanh Son Commune about the work “Sounds of the Great Forests - Colors of the Raglai” to prepare for the 2026 Khanh Hoa Provincial Mass Arts Contest. Elder Quang's insightful advice helped troupe members better understand the cultural life of the Raglai through daily routines, productive labor, and community exchanges, thereby helping to bring a more vivid portrayal to the performance. Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang also carefully instructed Mrs. Cao Thi Pinh (who was taught the epics by Artisan Cao Thi Quang) on how to chant epics melodiously to praise the beauty of labor and the defense of the village among the Raglai people.

In our conversation with Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang, we gained a deeper appreciation of her passion for Raglai epics. Since her youth, Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang had committed to memory the epics of hero Jihia, hero Javrai—outstanding figures in Raglai belief who embodied bravery in defending the village, zeal in productive labor, and filial piety toward their parents. “Raglai epics are a treasure trove of knowledge about customary laws, wedding rituals, life-cycle ceremonies, and experiences in interacting with community and nature. During a performance, the chanting and storytelling adapt to distinct rhythms and melodies, creating a unique artistic space. It conveys the Raglai people's pride in their ancestry, heroic figures, and those who made great contributions to the community. Epics nourish the soul and contribute to the distinctive cultural identity of the Raglai,” Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang shared.

As for Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Thanh, despite her advanced age and frail health, she always carries a deep yearning to pass down the precious chanting stories of the Raglai so that the living stream of epics will never dry up. In the past, when she was still strong and agile, whenever her children, grandchildren, or villagers wanted to learn, Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Thanh was always ready to impart the epic melodies recounting Raglai heroic legends. Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Thanh came to Raglai epics quite naturally. As a child, she listened repeatedly to the village elders chanting and telling stories, gradually mastering the tunes and storytelling styles. The more she listened, the more deeply she absorbed it, coming to appreciate the fine values within the distinctive cultural traditions of the Raglai people.

Focusing on preserving traditional cultural beauty

According to our findings, Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang and Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Thanh are among the few who still remember many epic melodies and possess proficient, high-level performance skills. Both artisans are deeply committed to safeguarding and passing down the intangible cultural heritage of their ethnic group to future generations. In earlier years, during local cultural activities and art performances, both artisans actively performed or guided members of art troupes. In addition, Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang and Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Thanh have joined classes to teach epics to younger generations, and have readily performed for Raglai folklore researchers and journalists to record and film, ensuring the preservation of the epic tunes they hold.

According to Mrs. Cao Thi Hang, Vice Chairwoman of the Tay Khanh Son Commune People's Committee, the locality has always regarded the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values of the Raglai as an urgent mission. In particular, the commune pays special attention to implementing timely support policies and incentives for Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Quang and Meritorious Artisan Cao Thi Thanh. Despite their advanced age, both artisans are devoted to transmitting and preserving the unique cultural features of the Raglai people in the commune. In addition to collecting and digitizing Raglai epics from artisans and village elders, Tay Khanh Son Commune will continue implementing preservation and promotion activities targeting the younger generation to integrate Raglai epics into community life, contributing to local tourism development.

HAI LANG