Since its first restoration in 2009, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong has always been proud to be present at all Tich Dien ceremonies. This year, he and an "old" buffalo over 30 years old with long and beautiful horns attended.
On the morning of February 4 (January 7, At Ty year) in Tien Son commune (Duy Tien town, Ha Nam province), the 2025 Doi Son Tich Dien Festival took place.
It was recorded that on the morning of February 4, thousands of people flocked to the Doi Son Tich Dien Festival.
After the incense offering ceremony at the altar of the Le King's God of Agriculture and the gods of fortune, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An (75 years old) performed the ritual of entering the king's spirit, wearing a mask, wearing a royal robe, and stepping down to plow the first plows to open the Tich Dien festival. Behind him, dozens of village girls followed to sow seeds.
On the morning of February 4 (January 7, At Ty year) in Tien Son commune (Duy Tien town, Ha Nam province), the 2025 Doi Son Tich Dien Festival took place.
According to Dan Viet's research, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong (71 years old) and Mr. Nguyen Trung Dac (73 years old) are two people with seniority in participating in the Tich Dien Festival.
Buffaloes from these two families are always considered pure, healthy, and have a majestic, dignified gait.
In the 2025 Tich Dien Festival, Mr. Cuong's family had 2 buffaloes selected, one for the drawing contest and one for the king to plow. Mr. Dac's family had 1 buffalo selected.
These three "old" buffaloes all have experience participating in the Tich Dien Ceremony. Mr. Cuong's buffalo is over 30 years old, with long, beautiful horns, while Mr. Dac's buffalo is nearly 20 years old, with a majestic appearance.
Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong and his "old" buffalo over 30 years old with long and beautiful horns attended.
The long and beautiful horns of the "old" buffalo.
Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong said he has participated in the festival since the early days of its restoration and has never missed a year.
"From mid-December, the village and commune began selecting buffaloes. Families with good and strong buffaloes were all present. Since 2009, every year I have been chosen to lead the buffaloes for the king to plow. I must say this is a great honor for me as well as my family and clan.
There have been many innovations in the past two years, buffaloes were chosen not to be decorated but to go to the fields. I completely agree with this. Because a buffalo going to the fields, being tame, obedient, and natural, is more appropriate for plowing at the beginning of the year than for decoration," Mr. Cuong confided.
It is known that Mr. Cuong used to lead buffaloes for former President Nguyen Minh Triet, former President Truong Tan Sang, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh... to plow.
The buffalo was led by Mr. Nguyen Trung Dac in the Tich Dien festival. The plowman was Mr. Truong Quoc Huy - Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Nam province.
Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Trung Dac also participated from the first day of restoration. Mr. Dac said that the beginning of the year is always an occasion he looks forward to, because despite his old age, he is always trusted to lead the king's buffalo to plow.
"The feeling is still the same as the first time I was called. Honestly, there is nothing more proud than contributing a small part to the success of the Doi Son Tich Dien Festival over the years," said Mr. Dac.
Unlike Mr. Dac and Mr. Trung, Mr. Tran Ngoc Dung's buffalo (Tien Ngoai commune, Duy Tien) was chosen to participate in the decoration contest this year. As a result, the buffalo won second prize.
Mr. Dung said, every year my family has two buffaloes chosen. We take care of the buffaloes little by little. "We care about their food, warmth and health every day, just waiting for Tet to go plowing to get the first luck of the year" - Mr. Dung said.
Farmer Tran Ngoc Dung (Tien Ngoai commune, Duy Tien) shares about the 2025 Doi Son Tich Dien Festival.
According to historical records, the festival originated when King Le Dai Hanh returned to the foot of Doi mountain to hold the first Tich Dien (plowing) ceremony in Vietnamese history in the spring of Dinh Hoi year, the 7th year of Thien Phuc era (987).
While plowing the fields of Tich Dien in Doi Son, the king found a pot of gold. In 988, the king plowed the fields of Ban Hai and found a pot of silver, so these fields were later called Kim Dien and Ngan Dien.
Since then, Tich Dien has become a beautiful custom that was solemnly and respectfully performed by later dynasties such as Ly, Tran, and Hau Le. In particular, during the Nguyen Dynasty, the Tich Dien ceremony had many specific "rules", was organized on a large scale, and was presided over by the Ministry of Rites.
After a long interruption, since 2009 this good custom has been systematically restored and maintained until now.
The annual Tich Dien Festival of Ha Nam has become a beautiful feature in the community's cultural activities because it is a festival rich in humanity, promoting agriculture, expressing gratitude to ancestors in reclaiming and expanding fields, promoting the spirit of being close to the people, respecting farmers, and farming...
Source: https://danviet.vn/lao-trau-hon-30-tuoi-duoc-vi-la-bau-vat-cua-le-hoi-xuong-dong-lon-nhat-vung-dong-bang-bac-bo-20250203223253919.htm
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