Tourists are fascinated by the colors of the Kate Festival 2025

On the morning of October 21 (July 1 of the Cham calendar), thousands of Cham people following Brahmanism flocked to Po Klong Grai tower (in Do Vinh ward, Khanh Hoa province) to offer offerings, officially opening the Kate festival 2025.

Cham people flock to Po Klong Grai tower (in Do Vinh ward, Khanh Hoa province) to offer offerings and celebrate Kate festival 2025 - Photo: DUC CUONG

From early morning, groups of people in traditional costumes carry offerings such as betel and areca nuts, fruits, cakes, etc. heading to the sacred ancient tower of Po Klong Grai (in Do Vinh ward, Khanh Hoa province) to celebrate the Kate festival.

At exactly 7:00 a.m., Brahmin dignitaries performed a procession of costumes from Phuoc Dong Cham village (Phuoc Hau commune) to the main tower, opening the solemn and bustling Kate ritual series.

Amidst the echoing sounds of Saranai trumpets and Paranung drums, Cham girls gracefully perform folk dances. At the foot of the tower, thousands of Cham people gather to pay their respects to the meritorious deities.

This is also an occasion for Cham people to remember their ancestors, pray for national peace, favorable weather, and good crops.

Tourists take souvenir photos with Cham girls - Photo: DUC CUONG

Ms. Dang Hoang Phuong Nghi (a tourist from Dong Nai ) said this was the first time she attended the Kate festival so she had very special feelings.

"The Cham people have a very attractive way of honoring the gods with music and dance. I feel their sacredness and pride through every smile. I feel so lucky to be immersed in this unique culture" - Ms. Phuong Nghi shared.

Offerings include betel and areca nuts, wine, meat, cakes, and traditional fruits to worship gods and commemorate loved ones - Photo: DUC CUONG

Mr. Tran Minh Quan (a tourist from Da Nang) was impressed by the combination of religion and art.

"I did not expect the Kate ceremony to be so large and have so many rituals. From the procession of costumes, offerings to dancing and singing, everything exudes the spirit of solidarity, faith and gratitude to ancestors. This is truly a 'living museum' of Cham culture," he commented.

On this occasion, Cham dignitaries wear traditional costumes and perform rituals at Po Klong Grai temple - Photo: DUC CUONG

Mr. Quang Song (71 years old) and his wife, Mrs. Thanh Thuy Cong (60 years old) in Phuoc Hau Cham village, offer offerings at the Kate festival - Photo: DUC CUONG

Mr. Nguyen Khac Ha - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Khanh Hoa province - said that the Kate festival is an important cultural activity of the Cham people in particular and the ethnic communities in the province in general.

The festival has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Each time the Kate festival is held, it is an opportunity for the Cham people to promote their national traditions, contributing to introducing the beauty of Cham culture in particular and Khanh Hoa culture in general to the people and tourists from near and far.

Along with the ceremonial activities, this year's Kate festival also took place with exciting sideline activities such as a Cham writing contest with the theme "Bright handwriting - Preserving the Cham soul"; folk games of carrying water jars, sack jumping, tug of war, art performances...

Panoramic view of Po Klong Grai tower, where the Kate festival is taking place in 2025 - Photo: DUC CUONG

Khanh Hoa is the locality with the largest Cham population in the country. The Cham culture here is still preserved quite strongly, expressed through writing, costumes, architecture, sculpture, temples, pottery, and traditional brocade weaving.

Among them, the Kate festival is a prominent one that has been preserved, maintained and promoted by the Cham people. This is also an intangible cultural heritage recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2017.

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DUC CUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-khach-say-me-voi-sac-mau-le-hoi-kate-2025-20251021124041826.htm