Folk games crystallize cultural values and the spirit of community cohesion. In localities in the province, many traditional games are preserved and restored in festivals, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.
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| Fire competition at Ngoc Tien village festival, Xuan Hong commune (Xuan Truong). |
Variety of roles
Folk games in festivals in Nam Dinh are diverse with many different types. First of all, there are games associated with the legends of the worshiped characters, as well as the history of the formation and development of the homeland, typically such as acting, walking, and cooking rice competitions. In addition, some folk games are ritualistic in craft villages, typically competitions in product making, mold making, crafting, and offering gifts. In addition, there are also games to train health and entertainment such as swinging, cockfighting, duck catching, blindfolded goat catching, and rowing. In particular, many festivals also organize intellectual competitions such as to tom, tam cuc, human chess or games demonstrating the martial spirit of the nation such as wrestling, traditional martial arts performances. At major festivals such as the Tran Temple Festival in Loc Vuong Ward and the Bao Loc Temple Festival in My Phuc Commune (Nam Dinh City), the festival always features martial arts performances by martial arts students, expressing their pride and contributing to recreating the glorious period of martial arts and civil governance of the Tran Dynasty. At the Tong Xa Communal House Festival in Lam Town (Y Yen), mud ball wrestling has become the focus of attention for many people. Mr. Nguyen Huu Thuong, a resident of Tong Xa Village, said: “Originating from the physical and tactical training of soldiers in ancient times, this game requires smooth coordination between members to gain control of the mud ball and bring it to their team. Through the game, people can better understand the spirit of solidarity, ingenuity and fighting spirit of our ancestors.” At the fruit-snatching festival at Tuan Luc Temple, Liem Hai Commune (Truc Ninh), the military training scene of the famous general Do Cong Hao from the early Le Dynasty is reenacted, with two teams competing for fruit, symbolizing the spirit of determination to protect the homeland. Every year, local people eagerly await the fruit-snatching festival, considering it an opportunity to review traditions and educate their children about martial spirit.
In addition, culinary culture competitions and traditional festivals in many rural areas in the province are still maintained, attracting a large number of people to participate. A typical example is the Ngoc Tien village festival in Xuan Hong commune (Xuan Truong) taking place from January 12 to 15 with rice cooking competitions and vegetarian dishes to offer to gods and ancestors. At the festivals in Thuong Linh, Coi Son, and Qua Linh villages (Vu Ban), there are festivals to select pigs, chickens, and fish, creating a unique feature. The Qua Linh village festival in Thanh Loi commune (Vu Ban) is held every three years in the years of Dan, Than, Ty, and Hoi, lasting from the 9th to the 11th of the third lunar month, featuring many folk arts such as dragon dance, lion dance, unicorn dance, and swing playing performed by local youth. Before the festival, the elders select strong young men to make dragons and clouds and swings, ensuring that traditions are preserved through many generations. At the Ninh Xa Craft Village Festival in Yen Ninh Commune (Y Yen), which takes place on the 6th and 7th of the third lunar month in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake and Pig, villagers organize a fire-making ceremony to commemorate the founder of the craft, Ninh Huu Hung. Strong young men are selected to participate in the fire-making ceremony, reenacting the scene of ancient soldiers walking and making fire to cook sticky rice. This scene helps the younger generation better understand the history and contributions of the founder of the craft.
Spreading traditional cultural values
In addition to entertainment value, folk games are also an effective means of educating traditions, especially for the younger generation. Through these games, children have the opportunity to be exposed to historical stories, learn about customs and practices and better understand the spirit of community. At Nam Dinh Museum, extracurricular educational programs combined with folk games have attracted the participation of thousands of students each year. Comrade Hoang Van Cuong, Director of the Provincial Museum, said: In recent years, implementing the Project of organizing educational activities at the Provincial Museum, many schools at all levels have registered for extracurricular activities for students at the Provincial Museum, including organizing folk games, experiencing the reality of making props and products such as star lanterns, drums with artisans, etc. Currently, the list of folk games at the Provincial Museum is very diverse, divided by grade level, age group, and target audience for educational institutions to choose from. Each folk game is carefully researched and collected by the staff of the Provincial Museum about the history and meaning of each game to explain to the players. Participating in folk games helps students practice life skills, supplement historical and cultural knowledge, support lessons in books, and contribute to improving the quality of comprehensive education. Nguyen Tat Thanh Primary School (Nam Dinh city) is one of the units that regularly coordinates with the Provincial Museum to organize extracurricular activities. Teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Principal of the school, said: "The tours combined with folk games at the museum help students become more interested in history, instead of just learning through books. Students not only hear about events but also directly experience games that are symbols of national culture".
Not only stopping at the school environment, every year many localities in the province have increased the organization of cultural, artistic and sports activities. On the occasion of National Day September 2, the Cultural - Sports Festival in districts such as Hai Hau, Giao Thuy, Nghia Hung, Xuan Truong... attracted a large number of local people to participate in competitions in sports, traditional art forms, folk games imbued with national cultural identity such as: stilt walking, lion dance, festival drums, tug of war, rowing...
In order for folk games to fully preserve traditional cultural values in festivals, in recent years, the Monument Management Board, the Festival Organizing Committee, and local authorities in the province have stepped up guidance for people to comply with regulations and practice civilized lifestyles; prevent negative manifestations and superstitions in festivals... In addition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has strengthened coordination with relevant agencies to establish specialized and interdisciplinary inspection and examination teams to strictly handle violations in festivals according to the law. The People's Committees of districts and cities have directed relevant agencies to strengthen propaganda and mobilize organizations and individuals to strictly implement regulations on festival organization; coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to strengthen inspection and handling of violations in festival activities according to regulations. Thereby, folk games in festivals in our province are organized in a disciplined manner, contributing to educating and spreading traditional cultural values to the young generation, truly a healthy playground connecting the community.
Article and photos: Viet Du
Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202502/lan-toa-gia-trivan-hoa-truyen-thong-qua-tro-choi-dan-gian-4c1619d/
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