At the Spring Festival, enjoy the fun game of blindfolded pot smashing.

For a long time, folk games have been an indispensable part of traditional festivals in the ancestral land. While the ceremonial part is performed with sacred rituals to show respect and gratitude to the ancestors, the festive part is even more vibrant and lively with cultural and artistic activities and unique folk games. Here, visitors can not only immerse themselves in a unique cultural and religious atmosphere but also experience unique folk games. Over time, the blindfolded pot-smashing game has retained its appeal and distinctive cultural value, a testament to the connection between generations and the preservation of Vietnamese national cultural values.

Blindfolded pot smashing is a unique folk game at the Lang Suong Temple Festival.

Known as one of the three major festivals of the ancestral land, alongside the Hung Temple Festival (Viet Tri City) and the Au Co Mother Temple Festival (Ha Hoa District), the Lang Suong Temple Festival (Dong Trung Commune, Thanh Thuy District) is held annually on the 14th and 15th of the first lunar month to commemorate the merits of Saint Tan, his family, and his two generals. Among the indispensable activities in the festival, the blindfolded pot-smashing game is always a favorite among visitors. In the playing area, cheers and laughter fill the air as players eagerly await the chance to test their luck and dexterity.

Trying her hand at smashing clay pots at the festival for the first time, 53-year-old Nguyen Thi Minh, a tourist from Viet Tri, couldn't help but feel nervous and excited. After her eyes were blindfolded with a bright red cloth, following the organizers' instructions, Ms. Minh cautiously took each step forward, guided by the crowd. From the starting line to the pot-smashing point was approximately 3 meters, a distance that, while not far, was enough to challenge the player's sense of direction.

People of all ages participate in games at the Hung King Festival teaching people how to plant rice (Viet Tri city).

Ms. Minh excitedly shared: “This game seems easy but it's actually difficult. The challenge is that when your eyes are blindfolded, your ability to orient yourself is limited. Although there was enthusiastic support from the spectators around, not everyone could find the right spot and break the clay pot. I was lucky enough to hit it, but the force was too weak to break the pot. Although I didn't win a prize, I'm very happy because the most important thing is to participate in a folk game that was a part of my childhood, enjoy the joyful atmosphere of the festival, and bring more laughter to everyone.”

Besides other folk games such as blindfolded duck catching and blindfolded drum beating, blindfolded pot smashing is a popular folk game that adds fun to many large and small festivals throughout the country, such as the Hung Temple Festival, the Hung King Teaching the People to Cultivate Rice Festival, the Hung Lo Temple Festival (Viet Tri City), the Ngu Giap Temple Festival (Man Lan Commune, Thanh Ba District), the Vinh Xa Temple Festival (Ha Giap Commune, Phu Ninh District), etc.

However, no matter where it is played, this folk game remains a popular source of entertainment for many people. It's not just a simple form of recreation; it deeply reflects the cultural values ​​and traditions of the Vietnamese people. It's closely linked to ancient customs and traditions and is a way of showing respect to ancestors. It's also an opportunity for younger generations to understand and preserve precious cultural values.

Through participating in this game, people not only experience joy and hone their dexterity and quick judgment, but also feel a sense of belonging and solidarity within the community, striving together and always believing in good things.

Thuy Phuong

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tray-hoi-xuan-vui-tro-bit-mat-dap-nieu-dat-228301.htm