During the third lunar month, people from all over the country flock to the Hung Temple Historical Site ( Phu Tho ) to offer incense and commemorate the Hung Kings. In the sacred and bustling atmosphere, among the crowd, there are figures carrying offerings to the temples. They are people who carry offerings for hire - a quiet but indispensable job during each festival season.
We met Mrs. Vui when she had just finished her first offering of the day. She was small, her skin was tanned by the sun, her bare feet were calloused after many times climbing uphill. Resting at the Upper Temple, Mrs. Vui took a deep breath and smiled kindly. In the plastic bag she carried, her old sandals were neatly stored, making room for her feet to firmly grip the ground, step by step supporting the offering weighing dozens of kilograms.
“During festivals, I have to work hard, each trip is paid 100,000 VND. On days when there are many people, I carry dozens of trips, tired but happy because I earn a little extra money to take care of my children,” Mrs. Vui confided, her eyes shining with satisfaction.
Her husband died early, leaving Mrs. Vui to raise her three daughters alone. Two of them are married and working far away, while the other is unfortunately ill and now lives with her in a small, simple house.
At the Hung Temple Historical Site, the team of hired festival bearers like Mrs. Vui currently has about 20 people, mainly women, middle-aged and elderly men from the outlying communes. Each festival season, they register their business services with the Management Board of the Relic Site. Some sell goods, some carry offerings, some write petitions – all serve pilgrims.
At the Hung Temple historical site, the team of hired festival bearers currently has about 20 people, mainly women, middle-aged and elderly men from the outlying communes.
“There are offerings weighing up to 60kg, carried through 4 temples: Ha, Trung, Thuong and Gieng. Each time, I have to climb hundreds of stone steps. But I’m used to it, I just hope the customer is satisfied and pays the right amount,” Ms. Vui shared.
“I just hope I have the health to continue carrying out the festival for a few more seasons,” she whispered, bending down to neatly arrange the offerings, continuing the next trip of the day, her steps as steady as her unceasing love of life.
Besides its livelihood value, the profession of carrying offerings at Hung Temple also carries the beauty of traditional culture. They are the invisible thread connecting daily life and sacred spirituality. Thanks to them, the offerings are brought to the right place, with the right ritual; thanks to them, visitors from afar, especially the elderly, who carry many offerings, are carefully supported and facilitated in their journey to their roots.
Amidst the bustling crowd, few people pay attention to the steady footsteps of the festival bearers - the people who contribute to a safe and complete festival season.
Bao Nhu
Source: https://baophutho.vn/ganh-le-len-den-230746.htm
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