PRESERVING AND PROMOTING CULTURAL HERITAGE OF CHAM FOLK SONGS

Abstract

Cham folk songs are a vital component of the intangible cultural heritage of the Cham ethnic group in Vietnam, particularly in Ninh Thuan Province, where is home to a large Cham population. Through field surveys, semi-structured interviews, and a comparative analysis of Cham and Vietnamese folk music, this article outlines the context in which Cham folk music thrives, examines the characteristics and degree of adaptation between Cham and Vietnamese music, and assesses the current state of preservation and promotion of Cham folk songs within the community. The findings indicate that Cham folk songs are at risk of disappearing due to shifts in the Cham community's festival system and the effects of cultural globalization. Based on these insights, the article suggests strategies for education, festival organization, digitizing documents, and supporting artisans to revitalize this cultural heritage.