When Charisma Sustains Tradition:Deploying Musical Competence in Southern Vietnam

Legitimate cultural authority as it pertains to traditional music performance in southern Vietnam emerges from charismatic musicianship where individuals build music communities by deploying their musical competence. This competence involves reorienting difference, risk and taboo and encouraging a community to reconsider the rewards that come from the transformation of practice. Drawing from theories of the charismatic leader, this article investigates the musicianship of Teacher of Merit Phạm Thúy Hoan, who realizes the need for action to achieve particular goals of sustainable preservation, effectively shapes the “acoustic knowing” of one’s followers and solidifies various practices for institutionalizing her authority