Cham Towers - Living Heritage in the Cultural Flow

Tourists visit Po Rome tower in Hau Sanh village, Phuoc Huu commune (Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province)

Cham ethnic culture in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces is a “living heritage” with a variety of cultural heritages preserved through many generations. In particular, we must mention the cultural heritages of temples, towers, etc. bearing the cultural characteristics of the Cham people. Along with that, the Cham people are preserving their unique cultural heritage in that land. These are the strengths that can create special products to attract tourists to this land.

In the windy and sandy areas of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, there are still countless historical relics, unique architectural and artistic works of the Cham people. The ancient, splendid but mysterious temples and towers still have a special attraction for many people. According to the report of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VHTT&DL) of Ninh Thuan province, the whole province has 239 relics included in the inventory list such as Cham towers, revolutionary historical relics; scenic spots. Of which, 64 cultural heritages have been classified at all levels. The whole province currently has 2 special national relics, Hoa Lai Tower and Po Klong Garai Tower; 17 national heritages, of which 12 relics and 5 heritages are included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ninh Thuan also has 44 provincial relics and 41 other relics such as communal houses, temples, mausoleums, and shrines.

The Po Dam Cham Tower Group relic (also known as Po Tam) on Ong Xiem Mountain, in Phu Lac Commune, Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province was ranked as a National Architectural and Artistic Relic in 1996. (Photo by Nguyen Phong)

Along with that, across Binh Thuan, there are more than 300 historical - cultural relics and scenic spots that have been researched and protected. Of these, there are 2 intangible cultural heritages, 28 relics ranked at the national level and 44 relics ranked at the provincial level. Most of the relics contain typical values ​​in architecture, art, history, culture and are being preserved and promoted, serving the cultural, spiritual and religious needs of the people.

In addition, throughout the Central region, where there are ancient Cham temples and relics, many localities have exploited and utilized them to promote tourism development, bringing in great profits such as My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam, Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh, Nhan Tower in Phu Yen, Ponagar Tower in Khanh Hoa... have become special destinations on the Central heritage road.

Cham people display offerings to their ancestors at Poklong Garai tower (Ninh Thuan)

The social life of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan from ancient times to the present has been closely associated with the temples, such as the Po Rome Ninh Thuan temple, which is the place where cultural and spiritual activities and traditional festivals of the Cham people are held every year. Along with Hoa Lai Tower and Po Klong Garai Tower, this tower is known as one of the three most sacred temples of the ancient Panduranga land. Throughout the regions of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan today, there are still large Cham communities living, creating a vibrant and diverse ethnic cultural region. In addition, the temples here are also known as "where the Cham towers still live", because this is where the Cham community still holds annual worship ceremonies for the gods at the temples and towers as hundreds of years ago. Under the vitality of the Cham community, these temples and towers are almost intact brick architectural complexes.

Cham people dancing on the Tower (Photo by Phung Ha Trung)

In addition, the temples of the Cham community in this land have more or less had a "status". Since 2010, Po Klong Giarai tower has been built into an attractive tourist destination during the Kate Festival season. In 2016, Po Klong Giarai tower and Hoa Lai tower were recognized as special national cultural heritages. Or Po Sah Inư tower in Binh Thuan is located 7km northeast of Phan Thiet city. For the Cham community, major festival seasons such as the Kate Festival have become the most important cultural highlights, attracting not only Cham people from all over, but also the destination of many domestic and international tourists. The Kate Festival of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan province" was also officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2017.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/thap-cham-di-san-song-trong-dong-chay-van-hoa-bai-1-1697090506593.htm