cồng

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The Vietnamese word "cồng" refers to a type of traditional gong, which is a musical instrument commonly found in various cultures, particularly in the highlands of Vietnam. It is characterized by having a knob in the center and produces deep, resonant bass sounds.

Usage Instructions:

You can use "cồng" when discussing Vietnamese music, cultural festivals, or the traditional instruments of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is often paired with "chiêng," which refers to another type of gong with no knob that produces higher-pitched sounds.

Examples:

1. Basic Usage: "Cồng được sử dụng trong các lễ hội truyền thống." (The gong is used in traditional festivals.)
2. Cultural Context: "Âm thanh của cồng và chiêng là linh hồn của vùng cao nguyên." (The sounds of the gong and chiêng are the soul of the highlands.)

Advanced Usage:

In a more elaborate context, "cồng" can be discussed in relation to its significance in ceremonial events, such as weddings, funerals, and harvest celebrations. For instance, you might say, "Trong nền văn hóa của người dân tộc Tây Nguyên, mỗi cồng đều được coi như có linh hồn riêng." (In the culture of the Central Highlands people, each gong is considered to have its own spirit.)

Word Variants:

• Cồng chiêng: Refers to the ensemble of both gongs ("cồng") and flat gongs ("chiêng").
• Chiêng: The counterpart of "cồng," which produces higher-pitched sounds.

Different Meanings:

While "cồng" primarily denotes the musical instrument, in a metaphorical sense, it can also reference authority or the weight of someone's words in cultural sayings, such as in the phrase "cồng lệnh ông không bằng cồng bà," which means that a wife’s influence can sometimes outweigh that of the husband.

Synonyms:

• Gong (English equivalent)
• Đàn cồng: A musical reference to the instrument itself.

Cultural Significance:

The "cồng" is not just a musical instrument; it plays a vital role in the identity and cultural heritage of various ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is often featured in festivals, where groups perform intricate pieces that celebrate their traditions. The "cồng chiêng" festival is a significant event that showcases the talents of various ethnic minorities, highlighting the importance of both instruments in their cultural expressions.

Academic

noun

1. Gong
   • lệnh ông không bằng cồng bà
     the master's orders are drowned by the mistress' gong; the wife's say is more decisive than the husband's
2. Ten years ago, the central highlands resounded with the echoes of an array of gongs. The Pleiku township in Gia Lai province was hosting the first "Cồng Chiêng" festival (Festival of gongs). Twelve Cồng Chiêng bands with 438 artists belonging to various ethnic minorities such as the Ê Đê, Gia Rai, Ba Na, Xơ Đăng presented a series of virtuoso performances. Seventy years separated the oldest and the youngest player Three years later, in 1988, participants numbered 1,000 from 14 ethnic groups from as many provinces. The deep sounds and melodies left an indelible impression on the large audience. The sounds of the Cồng and the Chiêng (Cồng has a knob in the middle, Chiêng has none -- Cồng makes the deep bass sounds, melodies are coaxed out of the Chiêng) are the very soul of the highlands. They are played to commemorate good harvests, at religious festivals and on many other occasions like child-birth, weddings, and funerals. Indeed, it is believed by the highlanders that a divine entity resides in each Cồng and Chiêng. In many communities, a Cồng Chiêng band consists of three Cồngs, nine Chiêngs, a drum and cymbals played by about twenty artistes. The compositions played differ, of course, with each festival and occasion --, lively, melancholic or sombre. The Cồng Chiêng in Vietnam's central highlands is the subject of study for many anthropologists, musicians, and "orientalists". Figures of Cồng Chiêng teams can be found on bronze drums which date back to 3000 years ago. This suggests that these instruments made their appearance in the early days among ethnic tribes such as Thái, and Mường in northern Vietnam, and Koho, Kor, Ba Na, Stieng, Mnong, in the central highlands. With recent economic and cultural developments, many musical instruments have made their way to the central highlands, but the Cồng Chiêng will remain intricately woven into the fabric of a highlander's life for ever. -- ()