The unique Tet Lap Lo festival of the Chut people in Ha Tinh

The Tet Lap Lo festival, with the meaning of "planting holes and sowing seeds," signals the completion of sowing on the fields, and prays for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and the health and prosperity of the family – it is a major festival for the youth and people of the Chut ethnic group in Ha Tinh .

The Tet Lap Lo festival of the Chut ethnic group in Rao Tre village (Huong Lien commune, Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province) is held on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month every year. After completing the sowing of seeds in their fields, the Chut people celebrate the festival, giving thanks to heaven and earth, praying for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, good health, prosperity, and development for their families.

The 2023 Tet Lap Lo Festival took place in a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere, with the full participation of the villagers and the attentive guidance of provincial and district leaders. In the photo: The opening ceremony of the festival.

The festival was also attended by representatives from neighboring communes in Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province.

“ So, the planting is complete; the seeds have been sown in the fields and on the farmlands, waiting for the day they will sprout and flourish. Our village gathers here again to celebrate the 'Filling the Holes' festival, to thank heaven and earth, and to report to the spirits, the forest ghosts, and the deceased. We respectfully invite you all to come here, to eat, drink, sing, and dance with our village. We ask the spirits, the forest ghosts, and the deceased to grant us favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and good health and prosperity for our village, ” said Mrs. Ho Thi Kien, head of Rao Tre village, opening the festival.

At the festival, the Chứt people erect ceremonial poles and four ceremonial trees symbolizing the four cardinal directions: East, West, South, and North. These poles and ceremonial pillars are spiritual symbols of the village, serving as dwelling places for deities and offering sacrifices. They are also considered "trees connecting to heaven," signaling the destination and inviting deities to attend the festival.

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During the festival, the offerings are solemnly carried to the ceremonial pillar to invite the river god, mountain god, forest spirit, and the souls of the deceased to attend the ceremony and partake in the offerings.

During the ceremony, the village elder will take two pieces of bamboo (or reed) and place them on a sickle, praying to the spirits to help the villagers avoid misfortune and bring good luck and blessings to the village. After casting the divination sticks, the villagers will dance around the ceremonial pole.

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After the ritual ceremony, the villagers organize traditional folk games such as tug-of-war, stick pushing, blindfolded duck catching, etc.

The Tet Lap Lo festival of the Chut ethnic group concluded successfully in a sacred, vibrant, and inspiring atmosphere. This is a joyous occasion, a good omen for a bountiful harvest…

The Chứt people are a small subgroup of the Mã Liềng ethnic group. Previously, they lived a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting and gathering, and residing in caves or makeshift huts made of forest leaves. Through various stages, the Chứt people have now settled permanently in the Ka Đay area of ​​Hương Liên commune, and the village is named Rào Tre. Currently, the village has 46 households and 156 inhabitants.

Over the years, the Party, State, Government, and all levels and sectors from the province to the district, especially the coordination of the Party Committee, government, Fatherland Front , and mass organizations of Huong Lien commune, Ban Giang Border Guard Post, and the working group of Rao Tre village, have always paid attention to and cared for the lives of the Chut ethnic minority people. Many policies and guidelines have been implemented for the people here; this has helped the ethnic minority people achieve a new stage of development. The material and spiritual lives of the people have been increasingly improved; children of school age attend school regularly and according to the appropriate levels. National defense and border security are ensured.

The traditional festivals of the Chứt ethnic group in Hương Khê are always maintained and their values ​​are promoted, such as: the Tet Lap Lo festival (7th day of the 7th lunar month), the Cham Cha Boi festival (eating new rice) on the 12th day of the 11th lunar month; the Cha Leng festival of the Chứt and Ban Giang 2 ethnic groups, and the Lunar New Year...

Reporters' Team

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/van-hoa-ha-tinh/doc-dao-tet-lap-lo-cua-nguoi-chut-o-ha-tinh/253188.htm