The traditional Xa Ma – Rước Kiệu festival, a cultural tradition of the coastal region with a history of over 300 years, is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage held annually at the Hoang Chau Temple historical and cultural site (Cat Hai district). The Xa Ma (pulling wooden horses – warhorses, large bodies, with ropes, floral bibs, and bells) is carried by 12-15 people in formal attire from each village, recreating the training and drills of ancient soldiers. The sound of gongs and drums resounds. When the sacred palanquins, carried by young men and women, are brought out to the temple courtyard, they suddenly move like lightning across the courtyard and erratically throughout the village, as if divine spirits have appeared. The atmosphere is lively, full of martial spirit and rich in folk traditions.
These distinctive cultural features of the festival will be introduced to you by Vietnam.vn through the photo series "The Unique Xa Ma - Flying Palanquin Procession Festival" by author Pham Thanh. Through this, you will better understand why the traditional Xa Ma - Palanquin Procession festival is one of the 12 national intangible cultural heritages preserved for its unique cultural values, characteristic of the life of the people in the Northern coastal region. The photo series was submitted by the author to the Happy Vietnam Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .
The Procession of Palanquins and Equestrians is a unique and distinctive traditional cultural feature found only in Hoang Chau, Hai Phong . To prepare for the festival, starting in early May, Hoang Chau holds village and commune meetings to elect committees and assign tasks for the preparations. The festival part consists of the procession of palanquins and ceremonial carriages. The palanquin procession is a deeply spiritual and unique activity. The male and female officials participating in the procession must be unmarried and their families must not be in mourning.
According to regulations, those participating in the ceremonial procession must be people of high standing in the village, pure, morally upright, and from warm, harmonious families. Those participating in the processions and carrying palanquins must also be healthy, pure young men and women.
Young women carried the palanquin around the temple.
After the sacrificial ceremony, the palanquin will be carried by the people and floated around the communal house.
The competition involved two teams: the Eastern and Western districts. The chariots were two sturdy, movable wooden frames. Each chariot had four wooden wheels. Mounted on the chariots were large, sturdy wooden warhorses with reins, ornate saddles, and bells around their necks. Each team consisted of 12 to 15 participants, dressed in formal attire according to the village festival regulations. Members of both teams wore neat clothing, tight-fitting trousers, and headscarves in yellow or red, resembling axe heads, to distinguish themselves from one another.
The young women participating in the festival are carefully selected.
Armor pulls Chariot.
The Xa Ma Festival – Palanquin Procession is not only a unique cultural feature of the fishermen in the coastal region, but also serves to preserve the long-standing cultural values of our ancestors. It is an opportunity to educate about traditions and love for the homeland; to strengthen solidarity and cohesion within the village community in socio-economic development, and to contribute to protecting the beloved sea and islands of the Fatherland.
In 2024, the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, will continue to be held on the website https://happy.vietnam.vn for all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above. The contest aims to honor individuals and groups with positive informational products that make practical contributions to promoting a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world. Through this, it helps people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends access authentic images of Vietnam, its people, and its achievements in ensuring human rights, moving towards a happy Vietnam.
Each competition category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values:
– 1 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND
– 2 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND
– 3 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND
– 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND
– The most voted-for entry: 5,000,000 VND
The winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Certificate Presentation, which will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television.
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