Unique National Intangible Cultural Heritage newly recognized in Yen Bai is a custom of the Mong people

It has become a tradition that on the last day of the first lunar month every year, the villages in Na Hau commune (Van Yen district, Yen Bai province) gather in the "forbidden forest, sacred forest" of the village to organize the "forest God worship ceremony". Although life is increasingly modern and has many changes, for many years, the Mong Na Hau people have maintained this good custom because of its sacred meaning.

Offerings are carried from the center of Na Hau commune to the "sacred forests" to hold forest worship ceremonies. Photo: PV

The forest worship ceremony, also known as "Forest Tet" of the Mong Na Hau ethnic group, begins with the procession of offerings into the forbidden forest. The unique and solemn ritual of the ceremony takes place at the forest gate, under the roots of an ancient tree. The offerings to the Forest God include a pair of roosters and hens, a black pig, wine, incense, and paper.

The forest worshiping ritual of the Mong people in Na Hau commune (Van Yen district, Yen Bai province) is performed at the base of a large tree in the village's "sacred forest". Photo: PV

This is the biggest and most important traditional ceremony of the year for the local people. Not only do they pray that the Forest God will bring a prosperous life to the villagers, but this is also an opportunity for the villagers to plan for forest protection for the whole year.

Mr. Giang Chan Din, Na Hau commune, Van Yen district said, "For us Mong people, this forest festival has existed for a long time, it has permeated the Mong people's beliefs. We are very excited to wait for the day to celebrate the forest festival. People also hope and pray for good luck, pray for favorable weather and wind so that in the new year they will have good health, no illness, and peace of mind in everything they do."

The Mong people's belief in worshipping the Forest God has been passed down through many generations. In all villages of Na Hau commune, there is a forbidden forest - a sacred forest located in the most beautiful location of the village, where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges to worship the Forest God with "inviolable" regulations.

The Mong people's belief in worshipping the Forest God has been passed down through many generations. In all villages of Na Hau commune, there is a forbidden forest - a sacred forest located in the most beautiful location of the village. Photo: PV

According to the Mong people here, the green forests, forbidden forests, and sacred forests near the village are places to protect the villagers from the wind, flash floods, and provide them with food, water to drink, and to irrigate their fields. Keeping the forest lush is also keeping the villagers safe and warm. Therefore, no one arbitrarily enters the forest to illegally destroy the forest.

Shaman Trang A Cho, Na Hau commune, Van Yen district added, "Forest worshiping ceremony uses offerings of pigs and chickens, gold and silver paper, and incense. With the wish that in the new year everything will be luckier than every year, everything will be more. Production, raising more pigs, more chickens, planting corn, rice, cassava without pests, more than every year".

Offerings to the Forest God include a pair of roosters and hens, a black pig, wine, incense, and paper. Photo: PV

After the forest worship ceremony, according to Mong people's custom, all villages of Na Hau commune prohibit the forest for 3 days to thank the Forest God. During these 3 days, everyone must strictly follow the taboos prescribed by customary law, which are not to go into the forest to cut down green trees, not to bring green leaves from the forest home, not to dig up roots, break bamboo shoots, not to dig the ground, not to let livestock roam free, not to dry clothes outdoors, not to grind corn, pound rice...

More deeply, the custom of forest protection also expresses the meaning of gratitude to the forest god for protecting and feeding the people for generations. Therefore, to show that gratitude, people will not destroy the forest but will spend time for the forest to regenerate and rest.

After holding the ceremony in the sacred forest, people in each village will organize a communal meal right at the edge of the forest to show solidarity. Photo: PV

Ms. Giang Thi Dung, Ban Tat Village, Na Hau Commune, Van Yen District shared, "After the forest worshiping ceremony, we must abstain for 3 days from breaking trees, picking green leaves, not going to work, only playing folk games. Therefore, before the forest worshiping ceremony, we prepared green vegetables for the family to use during the 3 days of abstinence. Along with that, we will visit each other's houses, wishing each other the best wishes for the new year."

What is special is that all the food for the party is prepared by the locals right at the edge of the forest and enjoyed together on the spot on long tables made of bamboo and covered with banana leaves. Photo: PV

The forest worshiping ceremony of the Mong people in Na Hau commune, Van Yen district, Yen Bai province was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage from December 2024. This is not only an honor and pride but also a fulcrum for Van Yen district to preserve and promote the value of the forest worshiping ceremony and other cultural heritages in the province according to the motto "taking people as the center and the subject of activities", "turning heritage into assets" to serve local socio-economic development.

During the 3 days of "forest ban", people will organize folk games and go out and visit families in the commune. Photo: PV

Mr. Ly Ton Cau, Chairman of the People's Committee of Na Hau commune (Van Yen district, Yen Bai province) said that the forest festival of Na Hau commune is not only a spiritual ritual, praying for health, favorable weather, and bountiful crops, but also contributes significantly to the work of forest management and protection as well as the protection of the ecological environment and biodiversity of Na Hau nature reserve.

"Through this, Na Hau commune also has the opportunity to promote to tourists from all over the country the tourist attractions of the commune as well as the traditional cultural identities of the Mong ethnic group and promote the unique local cuisine. Thereby contributing significantly to the economic and social development, maintaining the local security and defense. Contributing to sustainable poverty reduction for the people here", the Chairman of the People's Committee of Na Hau commune emphasized.

Source: https://danviet.vn/di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-moi-duoc-cong-nhan-o-yen-bai-la-mot-phong-tuc-cua-nguoi-mong-20250221180834141.htm