Dragon Eye Opening Ceremony Quang Uyen Firecracker Competition Festival

On the afternoon of March 9 (January 29 of the lunar calendar), at Bo Coc Chu water mine in Quang Hoa district, Cao Bang province, the Organizing Committee of the Quang Uyen Cannon Head Competition Festival held a ceremony to open the dragon's eyes.

This is the opening ceremony for the traditional Tranh dau Phao Festival of the ethnic people in Quang Hoa district. According to folk beliefs, dragons fly up from the water, so the Bo Coc Chu spring of Quang Uyen town was chosen as the place to open the dragon's eyes and has been maintained continuously since ancient times.

The master of ceremonies performs the dragon's eye opening ceremony. Photo: Thuy Tien

According to ancient customs, the ceremonial procession departed from the People's Committee of Quang Uyen town to Bo Coc Chu water source. Leading the way were four elders in the ceremonial committee, a palanquin bearer group, a dragon and lion dance team, and local people and tourists attending the festival.

On the way to the water mine, the dragon dance troupe was not allowed to dance, drums and gongs were not allowed to be played, they just walked silently. Because according to the concept, at this time the dragon was still sleeping, not opening its eyes.

At the ceremony, elders representing the ethnic groups living mainly in the town, trusted by the people, are responsible for performing the procedure of cutting the chicken's throat and using the chicken's blood to open the dragon's eyes.

At this moment, the drums resounded loudly. After the majestic drums, the dragons wriggled and flew up under the graceful hands of the warriors, along with the unicorns dancing around the water source three times, praying for favorable weather and wind.

After the ceremony at the water mine, the procession went to Bach Linh temple, Nung Tri Cao temple, Tran Hung Dao temple, and Thien Phuc pagoda to open the Tranh dau phao festival.

Dragon and unicorn dance troupe perform rituals at Nung Tri Cao temple. Photo: Thuy Tien

The Tranh Dau Phao Festival will take place from the afternoon of January 29 to February 2 of the lunar calendar. This is the biggest festival in Quang Hoa district, meaning the beginning of all activities of a new year, the beginning of the agricultural production season of the ethnic people in the area, wishing for favorable weather, good crops and bountiful harvests.

The Tranh Dau Phao Festival in Quang Uyen town is a long-standing traditional folk festival, associated with the spiritual elements of the sacred ancient Bach Linh temple, an architectural work associated with the Tranh Dau Phao Festival since ancient times and deeply ingrained in the subconscious of the people.

The Tranh Dau Phao Festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2020.

T.Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nghi-thuc-khai-quang-mo-mat-rong-mo-dau-le-hoi-tranh-dau-phao-quang-uyen-post287369.html