Special features of the Ky Yen festival in the land of Tien

The procession of the Royal Decree on the way from the royal decree keeper's house to Hoi An communal house. Photo: DL

Unique procession of royal decree

Hoi An village street (Tien Chau commune) has been bustling with people going to the festival in recent days. The Ky Yen festival in Hoi An village was held for the first time on a large scale, recreating the rituals of the procession of the Royal Decree and the main ceremony.

From early morning of April 18 (the Hung King's death anniversary, the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month), the procession carrying the royal decree gathered at Hoi An communal house, went to the house of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tuan (the custodian of the decree) to bring the decree back to Hoi An communal house. The decree was restored, contained in a gilded wooden box, placed on the Long Dinh palanquin carried by 4 men.

After the Royal Decree was brought to the village communal house, the main ceremony was held at the main communal house and in the yard of the communal house, witnessed by many local people and tourists.

The main ceremony at the main communal house in Hoi An village. Photo: DL

Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong - Chairman of Tien Chau Commune People's Committee, said: "The Ky Yen Festival is restored to preserve the unique cultural features of the midland region of Quang Nam to express gratitude to the merits of the Thanh Hoang; pray for "favorable weather", bountiful crops, national peace and security, happy villages, rich people and strong country.

The Ky Yen Day is also a day to remember the merits of our ancestors who opened up and built the village through the ceremony of worshiping ancestors - descendants, seniors - juniors...

This is a ritual originating from the thought of respecting the merits of ancestors, demonstrating the tradition of remembering the source of water; a form of gratitude to ancestors who have contributed to the development of the locality.

Preserving old values

Witnessing the procession of the Royal Decree with about 200 participants, Ms. Ho Thi Thanh My (Thanh Tan village, Tien Chau commune) said: "Every year, the village festival organizes a worship ceremony, but this is the first time there is a very grand procession of the Royal Decree.

I have lived for over 60 years, this is the first time I have witnessed a festival restored in my hometown, very majestic and solemn. This activity helps people witness the cultural beauty left by the ancients, preserved and promoted.

I myself participated in the festival and contributed my hometown agricultural products, made trays of five fruits, and made trays of cakes and fruits to offer to the village's tutelary god. The villagers also enthusiastically participated in the activities, contributing a little more effort to the festival of their hometown."

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet - a native of Tien Phuoc who settled in Tam Ky city also took the opportunity to attend the festival.

Booths displaying agricultural products and OCOP products were explored and purchased by visitors at the festival. Photo: DL

Ms. Nguyet said: “Hearing that the Ky Yen Festival was being held for the first time in my hometown, my friends and I took the opportunity to return to both watch the festival and buy local gifts. I think this is a very meaningful festival for both locals and visitors.

For the younger generation, this is something new because they have never witnessed or learned about the story of founding and preserving the village in the past. I think young people need to be educated about their hometown traditions through festivals like this, so that the village culture can be preserved for future generations."

The Ky Yen Festival is held on the occasion of the Hung King's death anniversary, and is even more meaningful when people turn to their ancestors and remember their roots. People living far away from home cannot directly participate in the festival, but still turn to it with their hearts and material contributions to help Tien Chau commune successfully organize the festival.

The first time it was held, the festival left a beautiful impression on the hearts of locals and tourists from all over. Coming to Tien Chau, in addition to participating in the festival, visitors also have the opportunity to visit ancient houses over 100 years old that are being preserved in Tien Chau commune, associated with gardens full of fruit trees that are carefully tended by locals.

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