Persistently preserving the ritual of worshipping the water trough.

The Ca Dong people in Long Boc village, considered the "gateway to heaven" of Nam Tra My commune, still steadfastly preserve the water trough worship ceremony, a traditional ritual rich in cultural value.

The ceremonial pole is erected before the Ca Dong people's water trough worship ceremony. Photo: TRUNG LE

Long Boc village is nestled on the mountainside, where small streams flow year-round, providing water for the villagers. For the Ca Dong people, the water channel system leading from the source to the village is a vital infrastructure serving their lives and is intimately connected to the community's existence and development. Therefore, every year, at the transition between the old and new year, the villagers hold a ceremony to worship the water channel, thanking the stream spirits and praying for favorable weather, good health for the villagers, and a bountiful harvest.

According to village elder Ho Van Vien of Long Boc village, Nam Tra My commune, the water trough worship ceremony is a long-standing custom passed down through many generations. Despite times of hardship, the villagers have never forgotten this ritual. They follow the traditions passed down from their ancestors, considering it a sacred event for the entire village.

The ceremony is meticulously prepared with traditional offerings such as chicken, pork, rice wine, and bamboo-cooked rice. Before the main ceremony, the villagers gather to erect the ceremonial pole, an indispensable ritual. After the pole is completed, the villagers gather at the communal house, dancing together with gongs and drums, creating a solemn yet unifying atmosphere.

Village elder Ho Van Vien performs the ritual prayer for the water source worship ceremony. Photo: TRUNG LE

A person knowledgeable in customs or the village elder will preside over the ceremony, reciting prayers in the Ca Dong language in front of a large crowd of villagers. After the ceremony is complete, water from the source is channeled to the village through bamboo pipes. According to tradition, the area for offering water is reserved for men only; women wait at the edge of the village, using bamboo pipes to collect water and bring it home while praying for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tim, a villager, shared that the sacred water after the ceremony is considered a source of good fortune. Women carry bamboo tubes to collect water from the source, hoping for smooth business operations, a prosperous family, and a thriving community. After the ceremony, the whole village gathers to eat, chat, and share their joy, thereby strengthening community bonds.

Women in the village collect water to bring home according to custom. Photo: TRUNG LE

Elder Vien said that in the past, the water trough worship ceremony involved the full participation of all members of the village. Currently, many young people work far away, but the villagers still try to maintain the ceremony regularly every year. "If we don't do it, our descendants will forget the customs of our people. Preserving the worship ceremony is a shared responsibility so that the Ca Dong culture does not fade away," Elder Vien emphasized.

The Ca Dong community in Long Boc village proactively preserves the water trough worship ceremony, demonstrating the enduring vitality of traditional culture nurtured by the people themselves. In the context of integration and development, these folk rituals contribute to preserving ethnic identity and enriching the diverse cultural landscape of the Nam Tra My highlands.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/ben-bi-gin-giu-le-cung-mang-nuoc-3326744.html