Cham Bani people happily celebrate traditional Ramuwan New Year

(CLO) Ramưwan includes three main ceremonies: Tomb-sweeping ceremony, ancestor worship ceremony and vegetarian prayer ceremony at the church. This is an opportunity for Cham people to review their traditions, return to their roots and pray for a peaceful year.

On February 28, thousands of Bani Cham households in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces held a ceremony to worship their ancestors. In the afternoon of the same day, Bani monks entered the temple to fast and pray, starting the month of Ramuwan.

Before that, the Cham Bani people performed the tomb-sweeping ceremony - one of the mandatory rituals, starting the month of Ramuwan.

Tomb-sweeping ceremony of the Cham Bani people. Photo: TL

At the tombs of each clan, dignitaries and elders representing the clan sit in their positions to perform the tomb-sweeping ritual. All are dressed in traditional costumes.

According to the monks, the tomb-sweeping ceremony and the worship ritual are traditional customs passed down through many generations of the Cham Bani people. The offerings in the tomb-sweeping ceremony are quite simple, including betel and areca nuts, tobacco, drinks, and candy…

In the past, the tomb sweeping ceremony and Ramuwan were only occasions for Cham people far from home to return to worship their ancestors and reunite with their families and relatives. However, nowadays, with its unique cultural features, the Cham people's tomb sweeping ceremony has attracted many tourists and cultural researchers to come and study.

Ramuwan is one of the most important festivals of the Bani Muslim Cham people in Vietnam. This ritual originates from Islamic tradition, similar to the Ramadan month of Muslims around the world . However, the Bani Cham people in Vietnam have localized and adjusted it to suit their customs, beliefs and cultural life.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, and spend more time praying, contemplating morality, and doing good deeds.

Cham people hold a vegetarian ceremony at the church. Photo TL

In 2025, the Cham Bani ethnic group will start celebrating Ramuwan from February 28 (February 1, At Ty) to March 29 (March 1, At Ty).

To facilitate people to organize the festival, authorities at all levels of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces have guided people to organize Ramưwan joyfully, safely, economically, while preserving traditional cultural identity.

Accordingly, the Ramưwan holiday for Cham officials, civil servants, public employees, workers, soldiers, students and pupils of the Bani Islam who are currently working and studying in the two provinces is 3 days, from February 26 to February 28.

T.Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dong-bao-cham-bani-vui-don-tet-co-truyen-ramuwan-post336538.html