The Space of Gong Culture in Central Highlands
The space of gong culture in Central Highlands of Viet Nam covers 5 provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong. The masters of gong culture are the ethnic groups of Ba Na, Xo Dang, M’Nong, Co Ho, Ro Mam, E De, Giarai… The gong performances are always closely tied to community cultural rituals and ceremonies of the ethnic groups in Central Highlands. Many researchers have classified gongs as ceremonial musical instrument and the gong sounds as a means to communicate with deities and gods.
The gongs are made of bronze. Their diameter is from 20 cm to 60cm or from 90cm to 120cm. A set of gongs consists of 2 to 12 or 13 units and even to 18 or 20 units in some places.
In most of the ethnic groups, namely Giarai, Ede Kpah, Ba Na, Xo Dang, Brau, Co Ho, etc., only males are allowed to play gongs. However, in others such as Ma and M’Nong groups, both males and females can play gongs. Few ethnic groups (for example, E de Bih), gongs are performed by women only.
As for the majority of ethnic groups in Central Highlands, gongs are musical instruments of sacred power. It is believed that every gong is the settlement of a god who gets more powerful as the gong is older. Therefore, gongs are associated to all events in one’s life, such as the inauguration of new houses, funerals, buffalo sacrifice, new harvest, ceremony to pray for people’s and cattle’s health, ceremony to see off soldiers to the front, and the victory celebration.
70. Gong culture can be found in ___________.
E. Kon Tum F. Kon Tum and Gia Lai
G. Central Highlands H. highlands in Viet Nam
71. It is though that the gong sounds can help us _____________.
A. have a relation with the gods B. enjoy ourselves
C. communicate with nature D. harvest crops
72. All of the following statements are true except that ___________.
A. the matter whether males or females play gongs depends on the ethnic groups
B. the diameter of gongs can be varied
C. a set of gongs is not more than 10 units
D. the gongs are made of bronze
73. Gongs are believed to have a sacred power because ___________.
A. the gong is older than a god
B. a god will make gongs more powerful
C. the statement was made
D. they are associated to all events in one’s life
74. The word “inauguration” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to __________.
A. building B. finding
C. sale D. opening
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