The unique features of the Shepherd Festival in Phong Le village.

Việt Nam•08/05/2024

qno_z5418362812496_ed213abeb38896251f357c888f16b450.jpeg — A procession carrying the God of Agriculture, as seen from above. Photo: QT

On May 7th and 8th, the Shepherd Festival was reenacted at Than Nong Temple, Con Than Hill, and the ancient village of Phong Le.

The festival rituals consist of three ceremonial parts and one festive part. First is the procession of the God of Agriculture from Con Than to the Than Nong communal house. Next is the ceremony of enshrining the deity, with various clans taking turns entering the communal house to offer incense and pay respects to the god. Finally, the procession of the God of Agriculture through the Phong Le fields takes place throughout the entire day.

The procession started from Con Than islet and proceeded to Than Nong communal house. Photo: QT

A special and indispensable part of the festival is the singing of shepherds to express gratitude to the God of Agriculture and other deities who have descended to bless the people with health, prosperity, and bountiful harvests.

The Shepherd Festival is associated with the Than Nong Temple in Phong Le. Located in the center of Hoa Chau commune, with its mountain-backed, sea-facing setting, the temple was recognized as a city-level historical and cultural relic on June 14, 2007. Over time, due to various reasons, the festival is in danger of disappearing.

An elder in the village performs a ritual offering to the God of Agriculture. Photo: QT

According to the leaders of Hoa Chau commune People's Committee, this festival is a creative product that demonstrates community cohesion. The cultural identity in the Shepherd Procession festival has been maintained, practiced, and passed down through generations by the community, having a strong influence on the spiritual and cultural life of the people of Phong Le village.

Although the festival is no longer held regularly in the future, the Than Nong communal house is always worshipped by the people of Phong Le village, serving as a sacred place and a special historical site of the village.

It is known that the last time the festival was held during the feudal era was in the 11th year of Emperor Bao Dai's reign (1936). After a 70-year hiatus, the Shepherd's Procession was revived and held three times in 2007, 2010, and 2014.

The Shepherd's Festival is held to give thanks to the God of Agriculture and other deities who have descended to earth to bless the people with health and prosperity. Photo: QT

According to oral tradition, there used to be a grassy mound in Phong Le. One day, someone drove a flock of ducks onto the mound, and the ducks' feet suddenly became stuck to the ground as if being held by a hand. The locals believed that a deity had descended, and no one dared to approach the mound. From then on, the place was called the Divine Mound.

One day, a herd of buffaloes wandered onto the sand dune. The young cowherds went to look for them, but they were unharmed. From then on, word spread far and wide that the sacred sand dune was a place where cowherds could be seen approaching. The hamlet of Cồn later became known as Đồng hamlet, a gathering place for the village's cowherds.

Based on that story, over many generations, a festival dedicated to young shepherds gradually formed, called the Phong Le Village Shepherd Festival, which takes place on the 1st day of the 4th lunar month every year.