Fire dance for good luck with the Pà Thèn people.

The Pà Thẻn people believe in animism, that all things possess a soul or spirit. Forest gods, mountain gods, river gods, fire gods, and other deities govern these realms.

In this tradition, the fire god is the most sacred and supreme deity, always protecting and bringing strength and good fortune to the village and its people. The fire-jumping festival takes place at the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, after the harvest. This is an occasion for people to thank heaven and earth, the gods, and their ancestors for helping them have a prosperous, peaceful, and lucky year.

The festival coincided with the time when the northern mountainous provinces were ablaze with the vibrant colors of spring flowers. From Tuyen Quang city, on the way to Lam Binh district, I enjoyed the sight of plum and peach blossoms in full bloom, especially at the bend in Khau Lac pass (locals say the name of the pass means "swaying"), with mountains on one side and flowers on the other.

Upon arriving at the capital of Lam Binh district – Lang Can commune, Ban Khien and Nam Dip villages – I was very surprised by the festival venue. It was a stage designed from bamboo: bamboo for the pillars, railings, stage floor, water wheels (tools used by the Tay and Nung people to bring water from the stream to higher fields), and two rafts (means of transportation for people on the stream).

Palm leaves, looms for weaving brocade, flutes (famous musical instruments of the Hmong people), and balls (similar to balls sewn from cotton fabric and cotton seeds)... are beautifully decorated and tossed during the Lồng Tồng (going to the fields) festival. The large brocade fabrics of the Tay, Dao, Hmong, and Pa Then people are exquisite and colorful.

The stage backdrop was even more impressive, with white cliffs and hanging stalactites forming a natural relief, surrounded by primeval forest. I secretly admired the conservation and ecological preservation efforts of the ethnic communities in this region.

Located in the center of the stage is a large cave entrance, which locals introduce as Tham Pau Cave, part of Tham Pau Mountain. The cave's story is linked to a legend about a fairy who, out of compassion and affection for the people of this area, taught them the art of cotton cultivation and brocade weaving. Inside the cave, there are traces of a brocade weaving loom. I was silent, contemplating these traces, the reliefs of nature, the primeval forest, and the traditional cultural elements that converge in this place.

The crowds flocking to the fire-jumping festival grew larger and larger. Young people of the Pà Thẻn ethnic group participated in the dazzling fire-jumping performances, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. A large bonfire, the size of a house, was constructed from long, thick logs. The fire crackled and popped as the wood burned. The young people jumped into the flames amidst enthusiastic cheers and applause. My heart pounded each time they leaped into the fire and then somersaulted like a magician's performance. Outside, the shaman's incessant tapping on the pàn dơ – a ceremonial object believed to connect with the fire god – could be heard.

Heritage Magazine