Promote and introduce tangible and intangible cultural values of the Cham people

In order to create a joyful and healthy atmosphere, promote, introduce the value and preserve the precious tangible and intangible cultural assets of the Cham people in Binh Thuan, the Provincial Museum has organized cultural programs to serve visitors at the Cham Cultural Exhibition Center.

After the worshiping ceremonies on the 1st day of the 7th month of the Cham calendar, which is October 14, 2023 of the solar calendar at the Po Sah Inư Tower Relic (Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City) and Po Nit Temple (Phan Hiep Commune, Bac Binh District), from the early morning of October 17, many people and tourists from inside and outside the province came to watch and directly participate in activities at the Cham Cultural Exhibition Center. These include a traditional Cham writing contest for the age group of 18-50; demonstrations of pottery, weaving and gingerbread making; immersing themselves in Cham folk songs and dances or admiring the collection with the theme "Ancient jewelry of the Cham people and ethnic groups of the same language system in the Central Highlands" by collector Nguyen Quoc Dung (Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province). In addition, the Museum also guided the group of tourists to admire the Cham Royal Open Treasure Collection in Phan Thanh Commune, Bac Binh District; Visit Po Anit temple in Phan Hiep commune, Bac Binh district.

Ms. Nguyen Nha Thanh (tourist from Da Lat) said: I was fascinated by the skillful hands of the Cham artisans through the gingerbread molding demonstration. The molding stage shows the meticulousness, dexterity and affection of the baker. The gingerbread is completely handmade, shaped almost like a ginger root on the outside. Looking at the small, pretty cakes with even, smooth branches, and the smiles of the ladies after each finished cake, I can see how much the Cham people cherish their traditional cakes.

The Kate Festival of the Cham people usually takes place in the beginning of the 7th month of the Cham calendar every year (corresponding to October of the solar calendar). According to the Cham people's concept, the Kate Festival, also known as Father's Day, commemorates the merits of the male Gods (positive). Besides Father's Day, the Cham people also have Mother's Day, the Cambur Festival, which takes place in the middle of the 9th month of the Cham calendar to commemorate the merits of the female Gods, especially the Ancestor Po Inâ Nâgar (negative).

Mr. Lam Tan Binh - a researcher of Cham culture in Binh Thuan said: Along with remembering the origin and merits of ancestors, the meaning of displaying Kate offerings in each family clan also carries the connotation of expressing the loyalty of the mother and the filial piety of the children towards the birth and upbringing of the father during his lifetime according to the matriarchal system and praying for the prosperity of mankind.

Cham cultural exhibition space at Bac Binh Cham Cultural Exhibition Center

Performance of traditional Cham ceramic products by artisans of Binh Duc pottery village

The Cham culture is an inseparable part of the Vietnamese national culture. The Cham Cultural Exhibition Center is currently displaying more than 1,500 artifacts and antiques, divided into the following themes: Collection of Cham Royal Heritage; images and antiques; traditional farming and fishing tools; artifacts and demonstrations of making Cham ceramic products; raw materials, tools, traditional hand-woven products and research results on intangible cultural products, clearly reflecting the spiritual and material life of the Cham people past and present. Since its opening in September 2010, this place has become a common home for people and tourists to research, exchange and participate in spiritual and cultural activities during holidays and Tet. In particular, since the beginning of the year, the center has welcomed more than 7,000 visitors.

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