Just like Dam Quyen Sonfolk dance (in Kim Bang), Lai Len folk danceis a type of long-standing folk dance with very nicely common form of a person or an action, etc., and common segments in theater arts. Researcher Bui Cuong, who has nearly 40 years of research, collection and compilation of culture and folk arts has gathered about 30 songs of Lai Lenfolk dance. Regardingthe origin of Lai Len folk dance, old storytells that over 1,000 years ago, Yen Trach inNam Xangcounty (now it includes Yen, Do and Noi villages in Bac Ly, Ly Nhan) was the floodedland near Red River, covered with reeds. In the sixth century, Trieu Quang Phuc, who was helping Ly Nam De to expel Luong invaders, occupied Da Trach pond (now in Chau Giang, Hung Yen) as a base for fighting against the enemies. Yen Trach was located not far from Da Trach pond with advantages in waterway and convenient traffic, therefore, General Trieu Quang Phuc chose Yen Trach to be the protective belt and supplierof food to the base. After his victory in the war against Luong invaders, Trieu Viet Vuong ascended the throne. He revisited Yen Trach land. The local people were very happy and organized a greeting ceremony and Lai Len folk dance was one of such solemn. After the King died, local people in three villagesbuilt a temple to worship the King. Lai Len folk dance and the rite of libation for celebrations officially became thedancing activities in god worshipping rite. Also, horse riding and swimming activities also became the oratorio to describe andreproduce the scenes of the wars and the victories of King Trieu and the army. After three different communal houses were built and all worshipped Trieu Viet Vuong, residents from these three villages set a rule that each village was assigned to undertake a certain type of activity. Over time, such rulebecame an old saying that spread throughout the region, “boat racing in Do village, horse riding in Yen village and Lai Len folk dancein Noi village”.
Grandmother Luu Thi Ngan (87 years old) could not hide her pride, saying that: the communal house of Noi village was well-known for its scale and beauty. Ironwood pillars standing on carvedstones were towering and majestic. On around 25th of December of the Lunar Year, 12 girls and 8 young men gathered at the communal house to learn Lai Len folk songs. In the night of January 2nd of the Lunar New Year, all ceremonies, melodies and lyrics were thoroughly practiced and prepared for the festival to be held on January 3rd. Singing and dancing activities of Noi village, horse riding of Yen village and boat racing of Do village made the festival more fascinating. Boat racing in Do village around Noi villagehall is heldinthe cheers of officers, visitors and villagers... Then chaos of wars interrupted the villages’ memorable festivals. After the re-establishment of Ha Nam province, in 1999, along with many unique folk songs of Mount Doi and Chau River homeland, Lai Len folk dance was once again honored and celebrated. The dancing scene was reconstructed, filmed and widely circulated to visitors and audience. It was needless to say how joyful the local people were. However, for many years now, Lai Len folk dance no longer appears in the village’s festival occasions.
15 centuries have passed, the lowland covered reeds has now become thriving and crowded villages. Dai Ha dyke has limited the Red River, separating the water area between Yen Trach and Da Trach pond. The oldest men and women of Yen Trach now can not fully remember all tunes, forms and segments of Lai Len folk dance. Not all artisans of different ages of Doi, Do and Yen villages today can thoroughly visualize the semantics of each sentence of the songs and dances. Time has made enjoyable customs gradually faded. Grandma Luu Thi Ngan was so regretful and worried that the traditional songs would disappear. She asked her great-grandchild who was at elementary grade to transcript nearly 20 tunes of Lai Len folk dance on his notebooks. Some of the lyrics and meanings may be incorrect or insufficient; however, it shows the heart of a “Lai lady“ who youth has passed. Yet, Grandmas Luu Thi Ngan and Nguyen Thi Nguyen and Khuong Thi Hai used to the pioneers in teaching traditional songs and dances in the village’s festivals to some groups of children. However, due to their ages and health issues, they now could only think of it with great regret. All teachers of Lai Len folk dances have now passed away. The river in front of the village hall has now replaced with houses and works …
Lai Len folk dancenow may only be a sweet memory in the minds of Noi, Yen and Do villagers./.
