Cha Mun Festival of the Black Thai people in Thanh Hoa becomes a national intangible cultural heritage

The Cha Mun Festival of the Thai people (Yen Thang commune, Lang Chanh district, Thanh Hoa province) has just been included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, type of Traditional Festival, Social Customs and Beliefs.

A ritual in the Cha Mun Festival of the Black Thai people in Yen Thang commune.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just signed a decision to announce the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List for the Cha Mun Festival of the Thai people in Yen Thang commune, Lang Chanh district, Thanh Hoa province. This is one of the most unique and typical folk belief festivals of the Black Thai people in Yen Thang commune.

According to legend, since ancient times, people on earth (Muong Lum) often suffered from epidemics and illnesses, with no cure. To help the villagers, the Black Thai people sent people to Muong Troi to ask for help. Po Then - the ruler of Muong Troi, had the full talent to create land, water and all species, including humans. The cry for help from the Muong Lum people moved Po Then with compassion and ordered the opening of the gates of heaven for soldiers and divine doctors to come down to earth to treat and save people. After being saved by Po Then, the ancestors of the Black Thai people sent Mo Mun to Muong Troi to thank him and ask to learn the secret of curing diseases. After Mo Mun finished learning the remedies, Po Then requested that if he cured 120 people, he must hold a ceremony to thank him. Remembering his advice, every year Mo Mun organizes the Cha Mun Festival to thank Po Then and pray for the health of the people in the region, good harvests, and happiness for all families.

The Cha Mun Festival is held in the 9th and 10th lunar months. The shaman chooses the best day and sends someone to Luc May's house (the sick person who was cured by the Mun shaman) to inform him. With a sincere heart and gratitude to the person who saved him from his illness, Luc May prepares offerings and, together with the shaman's family, organizes the festival. To carry out the rituals, the shaman invites 4-6 people who are Mun shamans to help him organize.

On the day of the ceremony, Luc May from the villages, wearing colorful costumes and carrying offerings, came to the shaman's house to give thanks to Po Then. When Luc May and the villagers had gathered, the shaman performed the ceremony of receiving the offerings and reporting to Po Then. The offerings had to be prepared on 31 trays, of which, one main tray was placed near the window in the middle of the house, and 30 side trays included fruits such as bananas, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, taro, grilled fish, sticky rice, chicken, pork, wine, etc.

The Cha Mun Festival includes a ritual to invite Po Then and the souls of deceased Mun shamans, and call the souls of sick people to attend; welcome local leaders and guests; organize games and performances. Finally, the Po Then and Mun shaman spirits return to the Heavenly Muong, say goodbye and make an appointment to meet again in the next festival season.

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/le-hoi-cha-mun-cua-nguoi-thai-den-o-thanh-hoa-tro-thanh-hoa-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-223351.htm