Within the framework of the 6th Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Race in Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta region and the first Soc Trang Culture - Sports and Tourism Week (VH-TT&DL) in 2024, on the evening of November 12, on the Maspero River (also known as Nguyet Giang, Trang River) - the section between C247 Bridge (Swing Bridge) and 20/4 Bridge (Cao Bridge), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Soc Trang province organized the Loiprotip Competition (water lantern release), water lantern performance and Ca Hau boat.
Unique lantern releasing ceremony
Regarding the water lantern releasing ceremony, according to Buddhist legend, the Khmer people of Soc Trang organize the releasing of water lanterns on the river to worship the remaining footprints of Buddha on the Nami Thi River or to make a model of the Mo La Mu Ni tower - the place to keep the hair bun of Buddha Shakyamuni in the upper world.
The boats were sparkling with lights on the river.
This ritual means that Buddha descends to earth to save sentient beings, and people apologize to the God of Earth and the God of Water for being polluted through the production process during the year.
Releasing water lanterns symbolizes the sanctification of water resources, expressing a cultural nuance. At the same time, it reflects the unique nature of the rice civilization, closely connected to nature by nature...
The ritual of releasing water lanterns in the Ooc Om Boc festival is a way for people to express their gratitude to nature, specifically the Water God and the Earth God.
Through this ritual, people want to remember the grace of nature for blessing people with a peaceful life and wish for good things in the coming year.
A brightly decorated boat.
In the past, water lanterns were often made simply by each family using banana stems and leaves with a few pennant flags attached, candles, incense sticks and offerings such as fruits, candies, rice, salt, etc. were placed around them and then floated down the river after performing the ritual of stuffing flattened green rice.
Gradually, the water lantern releasing ritual is less performed at home but is organized centrally at the temple.
At this time, the water lantern is framed like a wooden palanquin, then offerings such as rice, fish sauce, salt, meat, fruit, etc. are placed on top, considered as offerings to thank the God of Earth and the God of Water.
After the Moon worshiping ceremony, the water lanterns are carried around the village or temple yard with the escort of the Sa-dam drum dance team and people from the village, then placed in front of the temple.
Colorful water lamps.
Next, the monks brought incense and lamps to insert into the water lamp and performed the lantern releasing ceremony with the chants of the Achar monks expressing gratitude to the moon, the Earth God, and the Water God.
Then, everyone carries the water lanterns to the pond in the temple or to the canal or stream near the temple to let the lanterns float down the water.
Cultural colors
Today, the rituals and offerings on the water lanterns are still the same as in the past. The only difference in form is that the rafts and palanquins are now modeled after the architecture of the main hall of the pagoda, Khmer towers and are decorated brilliantly and splendidly with flowers, leaves, cellophane and colorful flashing lights, helping the water lanterns to increase their aesthetic, vividness and sparkle on the water surface...
On the Maspero River on the evening of November 12, besides the sparkling water lights, there were also the appearance of Ca Hau boats with unique shapes, attracting the attention of tourists from near and far.
Quite a nice lamp.
According to the elders, Ca Hau boat (also known as Ka Hau) is understood as a boat for monks to chant sutras, for venerable monks, venerable monks, and prestigious people to sit and direct the boat teams competing in Ngo boat races.
Ca Hau boats are also used to transport food, drinks, music, etc. to serve and provide logistics for the Ngo boat team during races.
Boats are made from hollowed-out tree trunks. Each boat has different sizes, depending on the tree trunk it is made from. Boats are usually 15-20 m long and 1.5-2 m wide.
The bow of the Ca Hau boat is similar to the bow of the Ngo boat with a curved, high shape, but is somewhat more spacious and sturdy. The stern of the boat is equipped with a rudder for control and support for the rowers.
Like Ngo boats, Ca Hau boats are decorated with many motifs and patterns typical of the Khmer people. The people chosen to do this work are often talented, experienced, and knowledgeable about traditional culture.
The whole river is full of lights…
Ca Hau boat is a representative image of the aesthetic thinking of each pagoda. Therefore, the boat is often decorated with the symbolic image of the pagoda.
The time to paint and decorate a Ca Hau boat usually lasts from 20 days to a month. Every detail is meticulously cared for by the craftsman.
Nowadays, Ca Hau boats not only have unique cultural value in the spiritual life of the Khmer people, but are also considered a symbol of local prosperity and abundance.
Every Ngo boat racing season, the Ca Hau boats are decorated and renewed, along with water lights that light up the entire Maspero River in Soc Trang City, leaving tourists in awe.
The lights are quite elaborately decorated.
Since 2016, Ca Hau boats have been performed in the annual Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo boat racing in Soc Trang province.
Among these, the Ca Hau boat of Tum Nup pagoda (An Ninh commune, Chau Thanh district) is the oldest boat.
According to the temple representative, this boat was ordered from Laos in 1802 and transported to the temple by the Mekong River...
Soc Trang people and tourists admire water lanterns…
The 6th Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Race in Soc Trang, Mekong Delta region and the 1st Soc Trang Culture, Sports and Tourism Week in 2024 will take place for 7 days (from November 9 to 15) in Soc Trang city with many activities such as: culture, sports; tourism promotion; Ngo boat race; moon worship ceremony; trade promotion fair, street food...
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/lung-linh-dem-hoi-song-trang-192241112205903916.htm
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