The imprint of Luc Na communal house

As a major festival in Binh Lieu, the Luc Na Temple Festival embodies the cultural and religious values ​​of the ethnic groups in Binh Lieu district, which the district has preserved, restored, and promoted since 2007.

The Luc Na Temple Festival, held annually on the 16th and 17th of January, bears many distinctive cultural hallmarks of the Tay ethnic group as well as other ethnic groups in Binh Lieu district. The Luc Na Temple Festival consists of two parts: the ceremony and the festivities, with many activities reflecting the unique cultural identity of the local people. According to Mr. To Dinh Hieu, Director of the District's Communication and Culture Center, the Luc Na Temple Festival has been reconstructed from historical documents, from the memories of the elderly, and even includes many creative elements. The ritual at the temple, one of the important parts of the festival, was passed down from the lowland ritual team to the Luc Na Temple ritual team.

Traditional procession of the royal decree during the Luc Na communal house festival. Photo: Nguyen Dung

In order to perfect and recreate the festival with its rich cultural identity, since 2023, Binh Lieu district has contacted and coordinated with the Institute of Ethnology ( thuộc   The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences researched and promoted village rituals in mountainous regions, combining them with the practical customs and traditions of the people in Luc Hon commune, Binh Lieu district. Simultaneously, experts thoroughly studied traditional rituals from elders and respected shamans in the community. As a result, a festival with distinctive rituals was standardized in terms of ceremony procedures and completed in 2024. To date, the Luc Na Temple Festival is a festival that embodies both the traditional beliefs of mountainous villages and the unique culture of the Tay people and other ethnic groups in the area. The festival includes activities such as the procession of the royal decree and the ancestral tablet of the tutelary deity Hoang Can, the opening drum ceremony, incense offerings, rituals to the deity, and the most typical cultural and artistic activities and folk games.

At this grand festival, besides the celebratory part, the most distinctive ceremonial event is the procession of the ancestral tablet of the tutelary deity Hoang Can around Ban Cau village, followed by a solemn sacrificial ceremony. The ceremony concludes with a dance performance by traditional Then singers, showcasing both solemnity and a joyful, lively atmosphere, reflecting the people's reverence for the deity.

The rituals at the Luc Na communal temple festival have been performed by the local ritual team until now, becoming smooth and well-established.

As in previous years, this year's festival, featuring folk games, cultural activities, and sports organized by the district, is expected to attract a large number of participants from various communes. The festival includes an expanded traditional martial arts tournament attracting athletes from localities such as Ha Long, Mong Cai, Tien Yen, and Quang Yen, as well as competitions from the Luc Hon Commune Sports Festival... Notably, this year's Then singing and Dan Tinh playing festival will not only focus on performances but also receive deeper investment in content, with widespread participation from Then singing clubs from Lang Son, and clubs from communes and schools throughout the district.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/le-hoi-dinh-luc-la-su-ket-hop-cac-gia-tri-van-hoa-dac-sac-3343139.html