In the mountains of Da Nang, the gươl is still the heart of the village. It has a big roof and is where people play music, dance, and tell stories.

In Aroh Village, a 77-year-old man named Briu Po shows the carvings on the walls of the gươl. They have pictures of animals and people doing daily tasks.

Life in the village has changed a lot. Now there are roads and stronger houses, and many young people leave to study or work. But the gươl is still very important.

Briu Po says, 'A village without a gươl is not a real village.'

The gươl is the center of village life.

For the Co Tu people, the gươl is more than just a building. It is where they talk about village matters, celebrate, and settle disputes.

When a new village was made, the gươl was always built first. Then the family houses were built around it.

Many villagers helped build the gươl. Some found wood, split bamboo, and put on the roof. Others carved nice patterns and pictures.

Briu Po says, 'The gươl is where we play music, have a fire, dance, and talk about village matters.'

The carvings on the walls show animals like buffaloes and birds. They also show people doing tasks like pounding rice.

These pictures are not just for decoration. They tell the story of the village and help younger people learn about their ancestors.

A 62-year-old man named Ho Van Moi says each symbol has a deeper meaning. Tigers mean strength, and birds mean beauty.

Every picture on the wood shows how the Co Tu people are connected to nature.

The gươl is built with traditional craftsmanship.

One important symbol is the mythical serpent. It is believed to guard the water and punish people who do wrong.

Pictures of snakes are often carved on the front of the gươl.

Ho Van Moi says the serpent reminds people to be honest and respect the community's values.

Every carving in the gươl tells a story and reminds children of their way of life and ancestors' wisdom.

In the gươl, villagers talk about important matters like taking care of the forest and water. They also celebrate and settle disputes.

The gươl keeps traditional instruments, clothes, and other cultural items. Elders teach children to play music and tell stories.

The gươl is used every day, not just for special events. It helps keep the community strong and the village's identity.

The gươl keeps the village's spirit alive.

In Hung Son Commune, the gươl is near old forests and mountains. Preserving it is connected to protecting the environment and customs.

Visitors are welcomed at the gươl, where they learn about the Co Tu people and their connection to the forest.

An 83-year-old man named C'Lau Blao believes tourism helps, but preserving culture is most important.

C'Lau Blao says, 'We learn new things, but we must keep our traditions and the gươl for our children.'

In another village, the gươl is also the center and a place for tourists to learn about Co Tu culture.

A tour guide named Dinh Thi Thin says visitors can meet locals, learn customs, watch performances, and see traditional crafts.

Many visitors like the stories behind the carvings and objects in the gươl.

Dinh Thi Thin says, 'When locals share their stories, visitors understand Co Tu culture better.'

Tourism has created new jobs. People perform, weave, and cook for visitors.

The gươl is now a place where culture is preserved and also used to make a living. As long as traditions continue, the village spirit will live on.

Ha Nam