Cham villages are bustling with preparations for the Ramuwan festival.

These days, when visiting the Cham villages in Khanh Hoa, one can easily sense a very different pace of life. It's not noisy or hurried, but it's lively enough that anyone passing by can tell that the Ramadan season is approaching.

For the Cham communities practicing both Bani and Islam, the Ramuwan festival is not only a religious ceremony but also a time for reflection, focusing on family, ancestors, and the positive values ​​preserved through generations. Each Cham group has its own unique characteristics during Ramuwan. The Muslim Cham observe a month of fasting during the day, praying, and performing good deeds according to Islamic teachings. For the Bani Cham, Ramuwan combines religious elements with strong traditional customs. This blend creates a unique cultural aspect, making Ramuwan not just a spiritual ritual but also an opportunity for community bonding, sharing, and reminding each other to live more virtuously.

Traditional Cham cultural performances at the football field in Van Lam village, Thuan Nam commune.

The start of the Ramuwan festival season is marked by preparations in the Cham villages. The focus of these preparations is the rehearsal of cultural performances and group dances, usually taking place in the football field, community center, or open space in the village center. The atmosphere becomes lively with the sounds of ginang drums and saranai horns, blending with traditional dances such as fan dances, basket-carrying dances, and group circle dances. Young men and women in vibrant Cham costumes participate in rehearsals and performances, recreating cultural, historical, and community values ​​through each act. Besides artistic performances, the festival also includes folk games and social activities such as tug-of-war, sack races, and cooking competitions, creating a joyful atmosphere and fostering connections between generations. This is also an opportunity for people from within and outside the village to meet, greet, and share experiences after a long year, strengthening community bonds.

Cham women in Thanh Tin village, Ninh Phuoc commune, are making ginraong laya cakes.

In each family, the smoke from the hearth spreads the scent of banana leaves, fresh sticky rice, and characteristic spices – where Cham women skillfully wrap banh tet (tapei anung), banh it (tapei dalik), and ginger cakes (ginraong laya) with their soft hands. They meticulously select each leaf, tie each string, and as they work, they tell their children and grandchildren about the meaning of the ceremony and tradition. In their eyes shines pride in their ethnic culture, while in every movement is diligence, patience, and reverence for their ancestors. Amidst the modern pace of life, the image of Cham women gathered together to make ginraong laya and wrap banh tet – it is like a lifeline preserving the soul of each family.

Notably, this year's Ramuwan festival coincides with the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026. Therefore, the atmosphere of preparation is even more vibrant. The period leading up to the Ramuwan festival is an opportunity to strengthen community bonds, educate children about traditions, and affirm the Cham cultural identity in contemporary life.

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Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202602/cac-lang-cham-ron-rang-chuan-bi-tet-ramuwan-6db3fc2/