The Pig procession festival in La Phu

NDO - Every year, on the 13th and early morning of the 14th of January (Lunar calendar), people in La Phu commune (Hoai Duc district, Hanoi) organize a "pig procession" ceremony. According to historical records, the pig procession is to commemorate the merits of Thanh Hoang Tinh Quoc Tam Lang during the reign of Hung Due Vuong the 6th. Unlike many other festivals, the palanquin carrying Thanh Hoang is the center of the procession, but in La Phu (Hoai Duc, Hanoi) the palanquin is used to carry "Mr. Pig".

NDO - Every year, on the 13th and early morning of the 14th of January (Lunar calendar), people in La Phu commune (Hoai Duc district, Hanoi) organize a "pig procession" ceremony. According to historical records, the pig procession is to commemorate the merits of Thanh Hoang Tinh Quoc Tam Lang during the reign of Hung Due Vuong the 6th. Unlike many other festivals, the palanquin carrying Thanh Hoang is the center of the procession, but in La Phu (Hoai Duc, Hanoi) the palanquin is used to carry "Mr. Pig".

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 06:55

The pigs offered for sacrifice are carefully selected and raised by the villagers every year. Each village can only choose one "pig" and it must be fat, well cared for, and clean.

These "pigs" will be brought to the house of Mr. Dam (the family that organizes the "pig" procession for that neighborhood), then slaughtered, decorated beautifully, and carried on a palanquin, waiting for an auspicious time to be brought to the communal house for the offering ceremony.

This year, the "pig" of Thong Nhat II village weighs 210kg.

At around 6 p.m., when the lanterns and flashing lights decorating the village streets and alleys are lit up, the "pigs" and offerings are carried through the alleys and village streets by the people with the bustling, solemn sound of drums.

The "pig" weighing more than 200 kg was carried by young men of the village.

The "pigs" serving the La Phu pig procession festival are decorated in many places such as nose, eyes, ears, head, tail and limbs.

The festival attracts a large number of people as well as tourists.

At around 8 p.m., the "pigs" were carried to the gate of La Phu communal house to prepare for the ceremony.

Each neighborhood decorates the "pig" in a different way, but it must be the most majestic and beautiful to win the prize.

According to custom, the hamlet closest to the village temple will carry the procession first, the farthest will carry the procession later, and they will slowly go to the temple, one hamlet after another, each procession team is arranged in order: leading are two large flags, then the band, trumpet, lion dance...

The more beautiful the shape and skin of the pig when carried on the palanquin for the ceremony, the more favorable things the villagers believe will happen that year. The judging criteria is that the "pig" which is big, beautifully decorated, and majestic will win the village prize.

The "pigs" were brought into the communal house one by one under the guidance of the organizers and elders.

At midnight, the elders begin the ceremony which lasts until 2am the next morning. Once the ceremony is over, the hamlets will bring the “pig” back to their homes and distribute the blessings to the families.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-nguoi-dan-thuc-xuyen-dem-xem-ruoc-ong-lon-khong-lo-lang-la-phu-post859415.html