Tay people's initiation ceremony in Dinh Hoa

Over time, although the Coming of Age Ceremony of the Tay ethnic group in Dinh Hoa district (Thai Nguyen) has changed a lot, becoming more suitable for modern life, the core values ​​are still preserved intact. Therefore, the Coming of Age Ceremony has become an indispensable cultural beauty in the daily life of the Tay people here.

The coming-of-age ceremony is considered by the people to be quite a strict ritual and must be prepared very carefully.

In Thai Nguyen, the Tay people live most concentratedly in Dinh Hoa district, with more than 46,000 people (accounting for 37% of the whole province). The initiation ceremony is one of the unique and long-standing rituals of the Tay people in the locality. This is an opportunity to find a shaman who understands the ethnic customs and practices, has great prestige so that everyone can place their trust, because most activities in the community, clan, and family of the Tay people rely on the shaman.

To become a shaman, one must not only have a family or lineage that has been shamans for generations, but also be a truly capable person with extensive knowledge and prestige in the community. A shaman must be able to read ancient books, know how to predict directions, good days, fate, and physiognomy. In addition, a shaman must also adhere to strict regulations, in which moral character is considered the most important.

The coming-of-age ceremony is considered by the people to be a rather strict ritual with many criteria. It is an important and joyful day not only for the family, clan but also for the whole village community, so the preparation for the coming-of-age ceremony is done a month in advance (preparing food, provisions; finding a teacher, choosing a good day, good month...).

In particular, a very important requirement in the practice of the ordination ceremony is to invite a master with a higher rank than one's current rank to give it to one. According to the elders, the transmission is almost always carried out within the family line.

Preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony were carried out carefully.

In June 2024, Mr. Ma Dinh Sung, Da Bay hamlet, Binh Yen commune was selected to perform the ordination procedure. The whole month before, the preparations for the ordination ceremony were completed and thoughtful. Mr. Sung said: “The master chose a good day suitable for my age to perform the ordination ceremony. After this ordination ceremony, I have enough ability to help my family and clan pray for good luck. I feel proud and also feel that I have to be more responsible from now on.”

In the Coming of Age Ceremony, the ritual of offering wine to the Jade Emperor is performed first, followed by the holy gods, ancestors, and family; opening the eyes and asking for yin and yang divination... Offerings prepared for the Coming of Age Ceremony include wine, gold and incense, fruits, sticky rice, and savory dishes. The day before, relatives came to contribute rice, chicken, wine, meat, etc. to celebrate.

While the rituals are taking place upstairs, the chefs downstairs are busy cooking, preparing dishes to offer to ancestors and cooking to serve guests.

After completing the ordination ceremony, Mr. Ma Dinh Sung officially became a shaman, allowed to practice rituals in his family, clan, village community.

After the procedures of the Coming of Age Ceremony are completed, the high-ranking shaman presides over the ceremony to put on the hat and dress the newly-awarded person. Finally, there is a thanksgiving ceremony, reporting to the Jade Emperor, the gods, ancestors, and family about the successful and complete coming of age ceremony.

From now on, the person who is granted the title becomes a real shaman, allowed to practice rituals such as funerals, weddings, longevity celebrations, bad luck removal, moving into a new house, and full-month baby ceremonies...

The Tay ethnic group's initiation ceremony has undergone many changes, with rituals simplified to better suit modern life.

Currently, the Tay ethnic group's ordination ceremony has undergone many changes, with the rituals simplified to be more suitable for modern life. Shaman Luong Phuc Kiem, who performed the ordination ceremony for Mr. Ma Dinh Sung, shared: "Previously, the ordination ceremony was much more complicated, lasting 3 or 4 days. But now, many procedures have been simplified, so the time has been reduced to only 1 and a half days. It is also much less expensive!"

The process of practicing the Coming of Age Ceremony clearly demonstrates the unique cultural values ​​and identities of the Tay ethnic group; at the same time, it shows the spirit of solidarity and attachment among family and clan members.

Faced with the strong impact of many factors in the integration period, to preserve and promote the national cultural identity, it is necessary to simultaneously implement many appropriate solutions. Discussing this issue, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung, Deputy Head of the Cultural Heritage Management Department, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Nguyen province, wished: "Preserving, transmitting and promoting the value of the Tay ethnic group's initiation ceremony is necessary. I hope that all levels and sectors will pay attention and take appropriate protection measures."

According to Ethnic and Development Newspaper

Source: https://baophutho.vn/le-cap-sac-cua-nguoi-tay-o-dinh-hoa-215759.htm