(VNF) - The Xuan Pha folk dance, a mysterious mask dances, in the central province of Thanh Hoa was recognised as a national intangible heritage at a ceremony on March 6^th.

Performers of Xuan Pha Dance wear painted masks and don strange costumes. They sing and dance, and sometimes howl. (Photo: Internet)

The ceremony featured a display of costumes and props as well as a performance of Xuan Pha dance.

Xuan Pha dance is held on the 10^th and 12^th days of the second month of the lunar calendar in Xuan Pha Village, Tho Xuan District, in the central province of Thanh Hoa.

It entails five different dances, named after those countries – Hoa Lang, Chiem Thanh, Ai Lao, Ngo Quoc and Luc Hon Nhung.

All of the masks are very strange. Local children say "they look like ghost faces". The masks are made of wood or cowhide. And the dancers wear hats made of bamboo or cowhide as well.

As for the Ai Lao dance, the dancers perform as elephants, tigers, lords, servers and soldiers.

The Ngo Quoc dance has two fairies, a lord and ten soldiers, and it is performed with fans and oars.

The dance was based on the ceremonial music of the dynasty and then was simplified into communal and village ritual music.

Xuan Pha is a traditional dance with many mysterious elements, which has been handed down through many generations. (Photo: Internet)

Some folklorists say that the Xuan Pha dances, especially with its costumes, masks, dances and howls, express the spirit of Van Lang (the ancient name of Viet Nam), to show the solidarity of the 15 tribes of the country around the king.

Others say that the dances, which are also called "the dances of the five countries", talk about the five neighbouring countries who sent messengers to congratulate King Le Thai To after he liberated the country from Chinese Ming invaders in the 15^th century.

The performance features perse culture and creativity, with dancers wearing masks and make-up. (Photo: Internet)

These dances are part of the heroic aftermath of the Vietnamese feudal dynasties, celebrating the victories over foreign invasions. These dances are based on the ceremonial music of the dynasty, which has been simplified into communal and village ritual music.

These dances mix royal and folk elements, which are symbolic and mysterious, and manifest the farmers’ aesthetic viewpoints.

It has been protected by the local community for generations./.

( Compiled by VNF )