Preserving the cultural identity of Lồng thông Bủng Kham

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- The Lồng Thồng Bủng Kham Festival is one of the typical folk cultural activities of the Tay ethnic group in Lang Son province in general and That Khe commune in particular. Through the ups and downs of time, along with other traditional cultural features, this unique festival is still cherished by the government and the people.   We value preservation and promotion. Through this, we contribute to safeguarding national cultural identity and promoting local tourism development.

In the Tay language, "long thong" or "long tong" means "going down to the fields," a ritual expressing the gratitude of the people to the Gods of Agriculture, the Gods of the Land, and the fairies who protect their lives and agricultural production. Ancient legends recount that when seven fairies escaped from their father, the Jade Emperor, to wander the mortal world, they were so captivated by the beautiful scenery that they left behind seven silk ribbons, which transformed into seven clear streams winding through the fertile That Khe fields. The remnants of the "Chet Khum" (O An Quan) rock formation and the sacred Nam An stream are still preserved by the people as a testament to their belief in a prosperous and happy life every year on the 12th day of the first lunar month.

Rituals to worship the deities at the Lồng Thông Bủng Kham Festival

Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Lang Son Cultural Heritage Association, said: The Long Thong Bung Kham Festival is a typical agricultural cultural activity of the Tay people in Lang Son province. First of all, it is a harvest prayer ritual – a spiritual need closely linked to agricultural production. Through the rituals of offering sacrifices, praying, and plowing the fields at the beginning of the year, the community expresses its belief in the harmony between humans and nature, and between humans and deities. A unique feature of this festival is the ritual of "sowing blessings" (popcorn) in the afternoon; people believe that whoever "catches" more "blessings" will have more luck in the year.

The vitality of the Lồng Thồng Bủng Kham festival lies not only in its historical records but also in the vibrant continuation by the younger generation, right from the days of preparation. These days, Ms. Nông Lâm Mai from Khắc Đeng village, Thất Khê commune, is busy with her family and fellow villagers preparing the ceremonial offerings and practicing for the ceremonial team. Wearing a traditional indigo-dyed outfit, Ms. Mai shared: “Since childhood, my parents have taught me how to arrange offerings and how to walk and stand respectfully when representing the village in the rituals at Chẹt Khum hill. So, being selected for this year's ceremonial team is both an honor and a responsibility. For me, receiving formal education on local culture at school, combined with practical experience in preparing for the festival, is how I truly understand my roots.” I have always longed to continue preserving these beautiful customs so that they can be passed on to future generations, so that the sound of the Tinh lute and the meaning of the rice planting ceremony will forever remain an indispensable part of the lifeblood of the Tay people of That Khe.

People in That Khe commune demonstrate the traditional process of making khau sli (a type of Vietnamese sausage).

2026 marks the first year the festival will be held after the establishment of a two-tiered local government system and the merger of commune-level administrative units. Therefore, to ensure the festival's success and bring joy and excitement to the people at the beginning of the new year, the Commune People's Committee has developed and issued a plan for organizing activities celebrating the Party and the New Year, including the Lồng Thồng Bủng Kham festival.

Mr. Chu Tuan Doanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, said: "We have determined that preserving the festival must be linked to promoting its value in modern life. Therefore, before the Lunar New Year of the Horse in 2026, we held a meeting and assigned specific tasks to specialized departments and relevant units to ensure that the festival is organized according to traditional rituals, while also promoting awareness so that people understand and participate actively. In addition, we are also strengthening the promotion of the festival and developing experiential tourism products, thereby both preserving the cultural identity and contributing to the development of the local economy."

Accordingly, at the main festival venue, relevant units coordinated to prepare the necessary infrastructure; created a layout plan for the stage and used backdrops designed to suit the space, ensuring aesthetic appeal... This year's festival will take place over three days, from the 10th to the 12th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse (February 26th to 28th), with many special activities such as: the Mai Thong ceremony; display of key local products; organization of competitions, cultural and artistic exchanges celebrating the Party and the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse 2026; performance and display of key local products...

The Lồng Thồng Bủng Kham festival is not only a ritual to pray for a good harvest at the beginning of spring, but also a symbol of community solidarity and a repository of cultural memories for generations. With the joint efforts of the government and the people, it is believed that the Lồng Thồng Bủng Kham festival will continue to be sustainably preserved, becoming a unique cultural highlight of Lang Son every spring, spreading positive traditional values ​​in modern life.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/gin-giu-ban-sac-long-thong-bung-kham-5079008.html