The unique Then ritual of the Tay people of Chieng Ken

In the Chieng Ken region, the Tay people still preserve a unique spiritual culture: the Then ritual passed down through generations. While in some other localities, the Then ritual of the Tay people may be passed down orally or learned from books, the Then ritual of the Tay people in Chieng Ken is only passed down from generation to generation among those of the same bloodline, within the clan, or through the strict selection of previous generations of Then masters who are "destined" to mentor their Then students.

The Then ritual of the Tay people in Chieng Ken is a ceremony of inheritance, devotion, and a journey of destiny and fate. Therefore, according to the beliefs of the Tay people of Chieng Ken, not everyone can become a Then master. The person who receives the "lineage" must be destined, chosen by the spirits, and taught by the Then master. The teaching of Then here is not simply about learning to know, but a lifelong journey of connection with the belief system, a continuation of a long-standing cultural tradition.

Having served as a Then shaman for 12 years in the Chiềng Ken area, Then shaman Vi Văn Hà shared: “Being a Then shaman is not something just anyone can do. It requires a certain calling, a certain destiny, and most importantly, a kind heart, seeking blessings for the villagers. Since taking on the role of Then shaman, I consider it my life's mission – both a responsibility and a sacred belief.”

The Then rituals in Chieng Ken are rich and distinctly unique. Many people compare the Then rituals of the Dao people to the initiation ceremony – marking a milestone in their beliefs – while the Then rituals of the Tay people in Chieng Ken also include Then Khoan rituals – also known as Then for increasing blessings and destiny – with the meaning of changing one's fate, increasing luck, and opening up new paths in life.

In the religious life of the Tay people of Chieng Ken, Then is not only a bridge between humans and deities but also a spiritual refuge in every stage of life.

When a child is born, the Tay people often organize the Then "mụ" ceremony – a ritual to pray for the child to grow up quickly, healthily, and safely. When a family faces misfortune, the Then ritual to ward off bad luck is performed to dispel misfortune and pray for peace.

During the planting season, the Then harvest prayer is an indispensable ritual to pray for favorable weather, lush vegetation, and a bountiful harvest.

Every rice harvest season, the people perform Then Pang - Pang Khau Mau, the festival celebrating the new rice crop, offering the first grains of the season to the gods as a token of gratitude to heaven and earth.

For the elderly, the Then longevity celebration ceremony is held as an occasion for the entire community to show filial piety and wish them long and healthy lives.

What makes the Then ritual of the Tay people of Chieng Ken special is the presence of two indispensable figures: the Then shaman and the Hương maiden.

The Then master is the person who presides over and performs the rituals, acting as a bridge between humans and the spirit world .

As for Lady Huong, she is an assistant, playing a supporting role in the ritual practice, contributing to the solemnity and sacredness of each Then ceremony.

Lady Huong was not only a helper in the ceremony but also the embodiment of softness, grace, and skill in every dance and song.

As the shaman chanted his prayers, the woman named Huong harmonized with the sounds of the zither, drums, bells, and singing, transporting the participants to a profound and mystical spiritual world.

According to the Then religious beliefs of the Tay people, the seventh lunar month of each year is the time for the Great Then Ceremony - the most important ritual of the year. On this occasion, the melodious sounds of the zither and Then songs echo throughout the mountains and forests of Chieng Ken village, connecting people with the gods, and the present with the past.

The Then ceremony is not only a sacred moment but also an occasion for the Tay community to gather and bond. It is also an opportunity for the younger generation to better understand and appreciate traditional cultural values, continuing and preserving their identity.

In the flow of modern life, where many cultural values ​​are gradually fading away, the Tay people of Chieng Ken still steadfastly preserve the Then ritual as an integral part of their spiritual life.

The Then ritual, a cultural feature unique to the Tay people in Chieng Ken, is still being preserved and spread, like a red thread connecting the past, present, and future, so that every Tay person here always remembers their ethnic roots.

Ms. Phung Hoang Oanh, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Chieng Ken commune, said: “The Then ritual is not only a priceless spiritual asset of the Tay people of Chieng Ken. We are striving to preserve this ritual by documenting, digitizing, and teaching it to the younger generation, while also linking the ritual with the development of community-based cultural tourism.”

The Then ritual of the Tay people of Chieng Ken is not only a folk religious practice but also a profound cultural symbol, a crystallization of the community's history, beliefs, art, and worldview.

In a constantly changing world, where indigenous cultural identities are easily diluted, preserving the Then ritual is about preserving the "soul" of the ethnic culture, keeping the sounds of the lute, the dances, and the songs echoing in the peaceful countryside, and ensuring that generations of the Tay people of Chieng Ken are nurtured by faith and their roots. Because as long as people still look to their ancestors, perform rituals with reverence, and sing Then songs in serenity – that culture, those people, will endure forever, allowing Then to be passed down – a spiritual cultural heritage, a precious asset contributing to the unique cultural identity of this sacred land.

Presented by: Bich Hue

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/doc-dao-nghi-le-then-tay-chieng-ken-post878658.html