Unique ceremony to honor the ancestral tea tree of Suoi Giang

Several centuries ago, the Hmong people set foot on Suoi Giang (Van Chan commune, Lao Cai province), opening villages in the midst of the cloud-covered mountains and forests. The villages are hidden in the mist, the sound of the flute echoes in the wind of the great forest, creating a beauty that is both poetic and majestic.

Reenactment of the ceremony to honor the ancestral tea tree of the H'Mong people in Suoi Giang.

Closely associated with community life is the rare ancient Shan Tuyet tea tree, which persistently grows in the harsh cold of the highlands.

The population of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, consisting of 400 trees in Suoi Giang commune, grows naturally at an altitude of 1,300 to 1,800m above sea level, surrounded by clouds all year round, and is 100 to 300 years old. This population has been recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment. This area has also been identified by scientists as one of the places with the world's "ancestral" tea trees.

Shan Tuyet tea trees are suitable for the climate, soil and water source here, and the people never have to fertilize or spray pesticides. Therefore, ancient tea is favored by the market because in addition to its excellent quality, Shan tea is also absolutely clean tea. Suoi Giang has more than 500 hectares of Shan tea, including a population of 400 Shan tea trees over 100 years old that have been recognized as Vietnamese heritage trees. The annual output of fresh tea buds reaches 600 tons. In 2013, Suoi Giang tea products were granted an exclusive trademark certificate by the Intellectual Property Office.

The Suoi Giang ancient Shan Tuyet tea area has been certified as a natural organic tea area and geographical indication, the tea trees have been numbered with QR codes to trace the origin of the growing area, Tuyet Son Tra products have met 4-star OCOP standards... the selling price ranges from 400,000 VND/kg to 4 million VND/kg of finished product. Currently, two products, Shan Tuyet Red Tea and Shan Tuyet Leaf Tea, ensure European standards and are exported to the UK and Japanese markets.

Every year, Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea is harvested three times, including spring, summer and the last season around August and September of the lunar calendar. Suoi Giang tea is picked and processed by roasting on a hot cast iron pan, using the experience and skillful hands of the H'Mong people. To pick the young tea buds, one must climb the high branches of the ancient tea tree to select the fresh young tea buds to bring home to roast and dry.

Like other ethnic groups in the Vietnamese ethnic community, folk beliefs play an important role in the spiritual life of the H'Mong people. With the belief that all things have souls, people often worship large stones and ancient trees. To show their respect and gratitude to heaven and earth, the gods have blessed the people with a year of favorable weather and bountiful tea harvests.

Every year, according to traditional rituals, the H'Mong people of Suoi Giang hold a ceremony to worship the ancestral tea tree. This year, the master of the ceremony is the village elder, artisan Giang A Dang. He is an elderly, virtuous, prestigious person in the village, and understands the customs and practices of the H'Mong people.

The prayer was recited: Oh heaven and earth, gods! Today, the H'Mong people of Suoi Giang have a small offering to heaven and earth, gods, and tea gods, to express their sincerity: Praying for heaven and earth gods, tea gods, to protect and care for all things, praying for favorable weather, a prosperous and happy life for the people, praying for peace and prosperity for the homeland and country.

Previously, the Hmong people only worked hard to make a living, growing corn, rice and hunting. Thanks to the precious tea tree, the people had a significant source of income, jobs, eliminated hunger, reduced poverty, and had many improvements in life. Comrade Nguyen Huu Luc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Chan commune, said that being able to participate in the "Ceremony to honor the Ancestral Tea Tree" ceremony is a beautiful feature in the cultural beliefs of the Hmong people of Suoi Giang. This folk belief is expressed through simple, rustic prayers, containing the desire to rise up strongly, that desire forever flows out the lifeblood to nourish the tea trees, the tea forest to sprout, flourish, bringing prosperity and happiness.

Article and photos: THANH SON

Source: https://nhandan.vn/doc-dao-le-cung-ton-vinh-cay-che-to-suoi-giang-post926649.html