(Photo: VNA)
Thai Nguyen (VNA) – “Le hoi cau mua” (bumper-crop praying ceremony)of the San Chay ethnic minority group in the northern province of Thai Nguyenwas granted the status of national intangible cultural heritage at a ceremonyheld in Tuc Tranh commune, Phu Luong district on January 5.
As one of the largest festivals of the San Chay group, “Le hoi cau mua” isorganised before or after Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
Some days before the festival, the San Chay people prepare a tray of offerings,which include pork, chicken, eggs, fruits, and traditional cakes. One of theindispensible objects for the worshipping ritual are 28 paintings of ancientpatterns.
After a round of earthen drum beats, the head of the ritual ceremony conductsthe rite, praying for good weather, bumper crop and prosperity all the yearround. Following is Tac xinh dance for youngpeople to replicates movements in labour and production with a background ofsimple bamboo and earthen musical instruments.
At the event, two tea villages of Cum Khe Coc in Tan Thai hamlet, Tuc Tranhcommune, and Trung Thanh 2 hamlet, Vo Tranh commune, were honoured asoutstanding craft villages.-VNA