Boat racing: The cultural depth of the villages.

As the 2025 traditional boat racing festival approaches, Danh Chi Tinh is busy completing the traditional boat for Soc Sau Pagoda (Go Quao commune, An Giang province).

With skillful and meticulous attention to detail in every stroke, Mr. Tinh gradually perfected his "artwork": some parts depict the serpent god Naga winding, while others show a blazing sacred fire.

From the intricately drawn, serpentine Naga motifs to the expressive eyes of the boat, each Ngo boat bears the mark of the craftsman's skill and the profound cultural and spiritual depth of the local community.

"It takes many steps to complete the decoration of each traditional boat: from painting the base, measuring the water level, to sketching on cardboard before actually coloring it. Every line must be balanced, vibrant, and reflect the strength and soul of the boat," Mr. Tinh revealed.

This boat is a unique sculpture in the Mekong Delta. Photo: Tuan Quang

For Mr. Lam Hoa Tha (a Khmer ethnic minority resident of Tan Thanh commune, Can Tho city), the most difficult part of sculpting a traditional boat is completing the "boat's eyes." The eyes of a traditional boat are usually painted prominently on both sides of the bow, requiring a very high level of "composed presence."

According to tradition, the eyes of the boat help it see the way clearly, avoid obstacles and misfortunes on the river, and enable it to win high rankings in the race.

Visiting Go Quao ( An Giang province) for the first time to watch the traditional boat race during the recent Ok Om Bok festival, Mr. Chau Soc Thanh (residing in Tri Ton commune, An Giang province) was not only captivated by the thrilling and dramatic competitions but also very impressed by the colors and patterns on the participating boats.

"Many of the traditional boats are carved with such vividness, subtlety, and sharpness in every detail. Previously, I only followed them through social media, but now I can see them in person, and even touch the intricate carvings on the boat's hull."

The decorative patterns on the Khmer people's traditional boats carry profound spiritual, cultural, and religious significance, reflecting their reverence for the gods and their desire for a good life and abundant harvests. Each boat is considered a guardian deity of the village.

Among these, the Naga serpent is the most frequently chosen decorative motif. The image of the Naga serpent is meticulously carved or delicately painted on the bow of the boat and along its hull.

In addition, depending on the beliefs of each temple or village, other sacred animals may be chosen for decoration, such as the mythical bird Krud, lions, tigers, crocodiles, etc. All of them must exude strength, majesty, and bravery, like a guardian deity protecting the community.

According to Venerable Truong Minh Tuan of Tong Quan Pagoda (Dinh Hoa commune, An Giang province), with the continuous development of the material and spiritual lives of the Khmer people, the Ngo boat - "the face of each village" in the tournaments - is receiving more and more investment and care.

The proof is that every year many new boats are built, each costing billions of dong.

In particular, many teams participating in the tournaments have switched from boats made of glued planks to traditional dugout canoes, despite the higher cost.

The teams' enthusiasm for participating in the race is growing, contributing to the preservation, conservation, and promotion of the unique cultural beauty of the Khmer people through the traditional boat racing sport .

NAM KHOI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ghe-ngo-chieu-sau-van-hoa-phum-soc-post829867.html