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Tung Tung Da Da Dance of Katu people

For many generations, the "Tung Tung Da Da" dance, also known as "Dedicational Dance for God" is closely associated with the major festivals in the life of the KaTu people. The KaTu people dances "Tung Tung Da Da" as a way to connect the real world with the universe, ancestors, grandparents and gods.
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(The article is reedited from VOV5 source [1]).

For many generations, the "Tung Tung Da Da" dance, also known as "Dedicational Dance for God" is closely associated with the major festivals in the life of the KaTu people [2]. The KaTu people dances "Tung Tung Da Da" as a way to connect the real world with the universe, ancestors, grandparents and Gods.

In the sense of the KaTu language, "Tung Tung" is rising, strong, reflecting the desire of people to have a better life. Therefore, the "Tung Tung" is for young men. "Da Da" is straightforward, the aspirational rhythm of spiritual meaning is looking forward to God’s blessing. So that, when dancing, the girl raised upper arms parallel to the ground and foreams parallel to her neck for catching God’s gift  and showing her respect, loyalty and also a way to submit to  and thank Gods.

In the immense space of the mountains and forests, the circle of young men and women moving smoothly with gongs and other traditional instruments spread into the universe as a prayer of the KaTu people sent to Gods and ancestors. The Katu people believe that Earth, River deities give them food and Giang (Sky Deity) give them thoughts and beliefs in strength to overcome, live strongly together with the sun, wind and Truong Son majestic mountains.


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Photo by Tran Minh

Trần Minh

[1]  http://vovworld.vn/vi-VN/sac-mau-cac-dan-toc-viet-nam/tung-tung-da-da-vu-dieu-dang-troi-cua-nguoi-co-tu-167548.vov

[2]  The Katu people (also Co Tu, Ca Tang; Vietnamese: người Cơ Tu) are an ethnic group of about 83,600 who live in eastern Laos and central Vietnam. Numbered among the Katuic peoples, they speak a Mon-Khmer languag. (Wikipedia)