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Roong Pooc - Plow Festival of the Giay People

The plow festival, also known as Roong Pooc of the Giay people in Quang Kim commune, takes place on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Roong Pooc - Plow Festival of the Giay People.

This unique crop praying festival, preserved and passed down through generations, holds profound meanings that express pride in national identity and vividly reflect the spiritual and cultural life of the Giay people.

The first rice field festival of the year is scheduled to take place on the morning of February 4, 2025, at Quang Kim Commune Stadium, An Thanh Village, Quang Kim Commune, Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province.

Sacred Fire Ceremony to Welcome Tet

In the final days of the lunar year, Canh Duong fishing village in Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province, buzzes with activity as villagers prepare for the "bringing the sacred fire" ritual. Locals believe this ritual will bring luck and peace once the sacred fire is brought home.

On the New Year's Eve, precisely at the moment of transition between the old year and the new year, the people of Canh Duong fishing village gather to bring the sacred fire home, praying for luck and peace. This custom dates back to when fishermen were at sea, facing natural disasters and storms. Offshore, they often struggled to keep their fires lit. Asking each other for fire amidst the waves and winds became a common practice, symbolizing the solidarity of the villagers in the vast ocean.

The people of the fishing village believe that the sacred fire is like a deity, bringing prosperity and happiness, especially during long sea voyages.

According to the village elders, preparations for the fire-making ritual begin on the morning of the 30th of Tet. In front of the Canh Duong communal house yard, considered the most sacred place in the village, strong, unmarried young men gather to chop firewood and build a large pile in the center.

Sacred Fire Ceremony to Welcome Tet.

In the late afternoon, once the elders and villagers have assembled, the ceremony begins. A respected villager beats the drum three times, after which the elders perform a ceremony to worship the gods, praying for favorable weather, calm seas, and safety for the fishermen. The fire is then carried from the communal house to the communal house yard, where the pile of firewood awaits. The most prestigious person in the village is chosen to light the fire. At the exact moment of New Year's Eve, all families in the village come to collect the fire. This task is usually undertaken by a strong young man or the head of the family. The fire must be carefully carried home without going out. This sacred fire, brought back to each home, symbolizes warmth, luck, and peace.

Additionally, in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, fishermen in the communes of Thanh Trach, Hai Phu, and Duc Trach busy themselves with selecting beautiful bamboo to erect the Tet pole after December 23. This pole serves not only as a sacred symbol to welcome luck for the new year but also demonstrates their connection to the sea.

For these fishermen, the Tet pole is more than just a cultural symbol; it embodies their commitment to welcoming the new year, warding off bad luck, and their attachment to the village, loyalty, solidarity, and the homeland sea.

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