Binh Thuy: A century of the soul of the island land.

Returning to Binh Thuy islet, Binh My commune, during the fifth lunar month, I was able to enjoy the unique festive atmosphere of this land. It's not just a folk religious activity, but also a beautiful cultural tradition of this islet that has existed for hundreds of years.

Community festival

Nestled beside the tranquil Hau River, separated from the mainland by the year-round calm Nang Gu canal, Binh Thuy district possesses unique cultural values ​​characteristic of an island region. For the local people, the annual festival at Binh Thuy communal house, held from the 8th to the 11th of May in the lunar calendar, is a special occasion. It's not only a time to pray for peace but also an opportunity to meet and strengthen community bonds.

Mr. Van Tang, Head of the Ritual Committee of Binh Thuy communal temple, said: “The Ky Yen festival is when the temple receives the most visitors of the year. On the main festival days, the temple welcomes tens of thousands of people who come to light incense and express their gratitude to the ancestors who contributed to the development of this land. This is not just a habit but has become a culture of the Binh Thuy island region.”

Attending the Ky Yen festival at Binh Thuy communal house allows one to fully appreciate the unique and vibrant atmosphere of the celebration. During the solemn ceremony, the communal house's management committee performs all the traditional rituals, such as the ceremony of inviting the deity's spirit, the procession of the deity's spirit, the administrative ceremony, the ceremony of welcoming the deity, the ceremony of building the altar and performing traditional opera, the ceremony of worshipping the God of Agriculture, and many other rituals deeply rooted in the folk culture of Southern Vietnam.

Following the ritual of inviting the sacred deity, a procession of the deity's image takes place around Binh Thuy islet. People on both sides of the road come out to welcome it, respectfully praying to the tutelary deity and ancestors for national peace and prosperity, and bountiful harvests. For hundreds of years, this beautiful religious tradition has been preserved by generations of people to this day.

What impressed me most was the sight of people eagerly carrying trays of sticky rice and other offerings to respectfully present to their ancestors. "Every year I carry a tray of sticky rice to worship the tutelary deity and the ancestors. Those who contributed to the development of this land, as descendants, we must remember their kindness," said Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, a resident of Binh Yen hamlet.

During the festival days, many people come to Binh Thuy communal house to help with cooking and welcoming guests. They are cheerful and hospitable to everyone, even though the number of visitors is quite large. Here, you will feel like you are part of the community, not a visitor from afar. In the ancient atmosphere of the communal house, the warm camaraderie of the people of Binh Thuy is expressed through simple cups of refreshing water, humble portions of sticky rice, and friendly smiles.

Joy on the water

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Besides the solemn ceremony, the annual Ky Yen festival at Binh Thuy communal house is also spectacular with many attractive folk games. People can laugh heartily at blindfolded piggy bank smashing, tree climbing with lard, blindfolded duck catching, etc., or intently watch the chess games of amateur players, but above all, they are thrilled by the traditional boat racing.

Boat teams compete on the Năng Gù raft . Photo: THANH TIẾN

No one remembers exactly when the boat race in the Binh Thuy communal house festival originated, only that the children who used to watch the adults compete now have streaks of gray in their hair. “When I was 7 or 8 years old, I used to go with my father to watch the boat race, and now I’m over 50 and I bring my grandson to watch. The race only happens once a year, and everyone wants to come and cheer on the people from our village,” said Mr. Sau Hien, a resident of Binh My commune.

Joining the throngs of people on the banks of the Nang Gu canal, I witnessed the genuine generosity of the people of An Giang . They readily offered me a bottle of mineral water and some mango slices with salt, even though we had only just met. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, like brothers from all corners of the world, making it easy for a stranger to blend in and overcome any initial shyness.

As the boats began competing, all attention was focused on the waters of Nang Gu. When the flags were waved, the oars, neatly planted in the water, propelled the racing boats forward amidst the resounding cheers of the spectators on the shore. This year, the organizers invested in drones to film the competitions live, allowing everyone to watch the boats move from start to finish along the 5,000-meter race course.

As the races neared their end, they became increasingly exciting. The teams in the finals all boasted experienced oarsmen. Therefore, spectators witnessed breathtaking bursts of speed and intense competition between the boats on every meter of water. Perhaps our ancestors were just as enthusiastic about this annual traditional boat race, which is why the passion has been passed down through generations.

Despite the fierce competition, the athletes from all the boat teams were happy to see each other. They shared a common passion and belief in the blessings of the tutelary deity and the ancestors who pioneered this fertile land. For the spectators, it was a community day, so whether their team won or lost, they cheered enthusiastically.

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For the local community, the festival is not only a community cultural event but also a distinctive hallmark of this peaceful riverside land. “This year, we are organizing the Festival commemorating the 243rd anniversary of the founding of Binh Thuy village and communal house during the Ky Yen ceremony, with the goal of affirming the unique cultural value of this event. The festival continues to be a cultural meeting point for locals and tourists to return to Binh My to participate in this unique event every year,” said Huynh Tan Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh My commune.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/binh-thuy-tram-nam-hon-dat-cu-lao-a490682.html