Hung Yen is an ancient alluvial cultural area, from the early days of the country's founding, ancient Vietnamese people came here to settle down and form villages. Archaeological sites found in Dong Xa, Luong Bang town, Kim Dong such as: boat tombs, bronze drums, bronze arrows... dating back 3000 years; or the story of the poor young man Chu Dong Tu marrying Princess Tien Dung (daughter of King Hung), then together teaching people how to grow rice and jute, have proven the above statement.
Through a long period of settlement, Hung Yen people have chosen wet rice cultivation as the root of the “agricultural-based” economy. Based on the advantages of the river system: Red River, Thai Binh River, Luoc River…, people have learned to irrigate, cultivate, and intensify agriculture. In the minds of Hung Yen people, the Red River not only provides water and enriches fertile land, but is also highly respected by the people and given a sacred name: Cai River (Mother of Rivers), the origin of Vietnamese civilization - Van Lang - Au Lac civilization.
Having been involved in rice cultivation for generations, Hung Yen people believe that all life and all things originate from “water”; it is one of the elements that make up all things and the world. Therefore, the beginning of a cycle of growth begins in spring, and the beginning of that development process must begin from the water source.
Water is an important factor that directly or indirectly affects social and human life. Water is necessary for agricultural production. Water helps people maintain life. The role of water in social and human life is the origin of the water worship belief, popular in traditional festivals of Hung Yen people from the past to the present.
Despite the flow of time and the ups and downs of history, the people of Chan Dong village, Hoan Long commune (Yen My) still maintain the village well and the unique custom of asking for water on New Year's Eve to pray for wealth and fortune in the new year. In the belief of the people here, if there is a lack of water in the house during Tet that year and they have to carry it, then that year's business will certainly be poor because the crops will not have enough water. Therefore, not just one house but the whole village and commune must take care of carrying water for three days of Tet.
The saying "Dai Hanh has copper, Chan Dong has wells" is a proverb deeply ingrained in the subconscious of Chan Dong people with pride when talking about their village's ancient well.
According to legend, Chan Dong village well was formed due to the breaking of Phi Liet dike (Van Giang) under the reign of King Tu Duc. This is a cool source of water that nurtures many souls and is where the sacred custom of carrying water takes place on New Year's Eve.
On New Year's Eve, every household and every person carries small jars, carrying them on shoulder poles, standing in a line around the well, waiting for the bell in the temple to ring, signaling the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year. They take turns going down to the well to get water. Although there are many people, no one jostles or pushes each other, and they also refrain from saying a word to anyone, only greeting each other with their eyes and smiles. The elders in Chan Dong believe that asking for water must be done right on New Year's Eve to be sacred. When the person asking for water returns home, they must pour that water around the yard with the wish that the new year will bring the family wealth and prosperity like water.
Joining the atmosphere of the first days of spring, the Chu Dong Tu - Tien Dung festival takes place from the 10th to the 12th of the second lunar month, in Binh Minh commune, Khoai Chau district and Me So commune, Van Giang district, carrying many cultural and religious meanings.
During the festival, many activities took place enthusiastically, with the people responding and participating; the most special was the beautiful custom of carrying water from the middle of the Red River. On the morning of February 10, the procession started from Da Trach Temple to the bank of the Red River. People in traditional festival costumes carried the palanquin of Saint Chu and the palanquins of the two ladies to the bank of the Red River. When they reached the riverbank, the palanquins and ceremonial objects were left on the bank. Only the pair of dragons and the palanquin carrying the water jar were brought down to the boat. Water collection is a very important task for the people in the area. People believe that if the water collection goes smoothly and without any problems, the people in the area will have a good year.
Therefore, the people in charge of fetching water were two prestigious elders in the village, and the people carrying the palanquin were eight young women in graceful, elegant costumes.
After the water is collected, the procession returns to the temple with the dragons leading the way. Only when the water is collected, the water jar is solemnly performed and then placed in the temple, can the organizing committee begin the opening ceremony of the festival. This is a tradition that has existed since ancient times. The water jar is placed on the altar throughout the year and the water is replaced during the following year's procession. The water offering ceremony and the opening ceremony take place amidst the bustling, joyful sound of drums, making viewers easily think of the joyful sounds of the bustling village during the happy harvest season.
The elderly here say that the water procession not only has the meaning of praying for favorable weather and prosperous business, but also shows deep beliefs; to commemorate Saint Chu Dong Tu and his two wives who taught people how to grow rice, grow mulberry trees, and raise silkworms.
The Rain Praying Festival in Lac Hong Commune, Van Lam District, associated with the long-standing belief in worshiping the Four Dharmas (Phap Van, Phap Vu, Phap Loi, Phap Dien), is a festival imbued with the cultural identity of the Hung Yen people, expressing the desire to conquer nature, pray for favorable weather, pray for fertility, prosperity, and growth of all things.
In folklore, the four ladies are still called Ba Ca, Ba Que, Ba Hue and Ba Tong respectively. During years of prolonged drought, villagers in the old Thai Lac commune held a prayer ceremony and welcomed the Four Dharmas to pray for rain and good crops.
The 6th day of the 3rd lunar month every year is the main festival day, on this day, there is a ceremony to welcome the ladies Phap Loi and Phap Vu to Thai Lac pagoda to worship Lady Phap Van. On the 7th of March, a water procession ceremony is held, then the three ladies Phap Loi, Phap Vu, and Phap Van are brought to Hong Thai pagoda to worship Lady Phap Dien. On the 8th of March, the people will welcome the ladies to their pagodas and hold the An vi ceremony.
The Rain Praying Festival, along with the worship of the Four Dharmas in Hung Yen, reflects the introduction and development of Buddhism into Vietnam and the process of reclaiming this land. The festival also partly reflects the residents' water usage habits in agricultural production and irrigation.
The rain-praying festival contributes to balancing spiritual life, satisfying the spiritual needs of individuals and communities; praying for favorable weather, good crops; preserving and transmitting the cultural values of the community from generation to generation.
The existence of the water worship belief of the Hung Yen people shows the community's respect for water resources. Although it takes many different forms, it is a reminder of the nation's roots and the extremely necessary meaning of water for life and the environment.
Nowadays, society is developing, people live more modernly, old things are gradually fading away but the belief in water worship as well as the water procession rituals in folk festivals of Hung Yen people are certainly still preserved.
According to cultural researcher Nguyen Quang Khai, "As long as there is agricultural production and agricultural products, the belief in water worship or the sacred water procession ritual will certainly still exist in the consciousness and cultural life of the residents..."
Luong Duc Hien
Source: https://baohungyen.vn/tin-nguong-tho-nuoc-trong-nong-nghiep-cua-nguoi-hung-yen-3179428.html
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