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Music genre

Chầu văn

Chầu văn is a music genre that emerged in Vietnam in the 1870s. Explore key artists and related styles.

About Chầu văn

Chầu văn is a music genre that emerged in Vietnam in the 1870s.

From Wikipedia

Hát chầu văn, or in secular form hát văn (喝文), is a traditional folk art of northern Vietnam which combines trance singing and dancing. Its music and poetry are combined with a variety of instruments, rhythms, pauses, and tempos. Hát chầu văn originated in the 16th century and spread quickly. The main musical instrument used in hat van performance is the đàn nguyệt or moon-shaped lute. The genre is famous for its use in rituals for deity mediumship. Chầu văn serves two purposes: to help hypnotize the medium for reception of the deities and to accompany the medium's actions with appropriate music.

The singing and dance in non-religious form is hát văn ("sung literature") without the word chầu ("to have an audience with someone of higher power", "to perform a service and pay homage to a deity").

Frequently asked questions

What is Chầu văn?

Chầu văn is a music genre that emerged in Vietnam in the 1870s.

Where and when did Chầu văn originate?

Chầu văn originated in Vietnam in the 1870s.

Sources & credits