The unique Xip Xi Tet ritual of the White Thai people.

According to the beliefs of the White Thai people in Son La , the Xip Xi Tet festival is a day when descendants pay homage to their ancestors, and also an occasion for adults to show special care and attention to the younger generation.

The Xíp Xí Tet ritual of the White Thai people in Phù Yên and Quỳnh Nhai districts, Sơn La province, has just been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism .

Part of the Xíp Xí Tet procession in Quang Huy commune, Phù Yên district, Sơn La province.

Held annually on the 14th day of the 7th lunar month, Tet Xip Xi features offerings to the spirits of the village, seeking good fortune for individuals, families, and clans; praying for favorable weather; and asking deities and ancestors to bless children with good health, rapid growth, and freedom from illness.

The offerings include: duck meat, chicken meat, smoked pork, sausage, grilled fish (Pa pỉnh tộp), vegetable salad, bon soup, sour soup, khẩu cắm (sticky rice dyed in 5 or 7 colors), bánh ít (small rice cakes), and bánh chưng gù (humped rice cakes).

The Xip Xi Tet festival is usually incomplete without "nhứa tô pết" (duck meat) because ducks are closely associated with rice fields and streams. Offering duck meat is meant to symbolize the duck eating away insects that harm the rice crops, and the duck carrying away bad luck and misfortune.

After the offering ceremony, family members will gather around the feast; children and grandchildren wish the elders long life, and adults pray for the younger generation to be happy and healthy.

During the meal, family members will chat happily, exchange best wishes, and sing together. The children will have plenty of time to play and have fun that day.

The recognition of the Xip Xi Tet ritual of the White Thai people as a national intangible cultural heritage is a great honor and source of pride for the White Thai community in Phu Yen and Quynh Nhai districts.

This serves as an impetus for the Party committees, authorities, and people of Phu Yen and Quynh Nhai districts to promote and introduce the Xip Xi Tet ritual to domestic and international tourists, while actively promoting its valuable cultural aspects and linking intangible cultural heritage with socio-economic development and tourism development.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/doc-dao-nghi-le-tet-xip-xi-cua-nguoi-thai-trang-283082.html