On the morning of February 18 (January 21 of the lunar calendar), people of Tho Ha village (Van Ha commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province) held a grand festival, attracting many tourists from all over to come and enjoy the festival.
From early morning, at a family in hamlet 4, dozens of people were present to dress up and prepare for the village's big procession held every two years.
The costumed people participating in the Tho Ha village festival procession are the main characters of the ceremony, with costumes and appearances imbued with the style of ancient opera.
At exactly 10 o'clock, the procession departed from the temple in hamlet 4 to the village communal house.
Leading the procession is a character dressed as a General, carrying a sacred flag, with a majestic and imposing appearance. The procession is to commemorate and honor Mr. Dao Tri Tien - who is said to be the founder of the village's pottery craft.
From the small alleys, people stood crowded on both sides of the street watching the procession pass by.
The palanquin carrying a rooster holding a rose in its mouth, with its neck raised high and its wings spread wide, is one of the special offerings.
Two patrolmen with pennants waved flags at the beginning and end of the procession, inspected it carefully, then ran back and forth to change places. Each time they changed places, the procession slowly moved forward three steps.
The two children playing the roles of Tien Dong and Ngoc Nu were chosen from hundreds of children in the neighborhood. The criteria were that they must have fair, round, kind faces and be proportional when standing next to each other. This year, Pham Tien Duy Anh (13 years old) plays the role of Tien Dong and Trinh Thi Binh An (9 years old) plays the role of Ngoc Nu.
In addition, the procession vividly recreates the three deities of Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity walking behind the troupe of trumpets, flutes, and erhus. This is a bold, unique image of the Tho Ha festival.
Behind the three Tam Da were the General Flag and General Sword, who carried the palanquin in a majestic procession. On both sides of the road, guards holding halberds escorted them.
The villagers were jubilant, joy filled the alleys as the procession passed by.
The procession moved slowly to give villagers and tourists more time to admire.
Following the Saint's palanquin, the Mother's palanquin was carried by the women in the village, shoulder to shoulder.
Tho Ha people also offered a roasted cow covered in silk, beautifully decorated on a palanquin and carried by 10 young men.
Dantri.com.vn
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