On January 11, in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes, the People's Committee of Mai Chau district ( Hoa Binh ) organized the Gau Tao Festival.
This is a traditional folk cultural activity, unique with long-standing cultural and religious activities of the Mong people in Hoa Binh.
The festival attracted thousands of people and tourists from inside and outside the province to participate.
At the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of Mai Chau District People's Committee, Hoang Duc Minh, emphasized the annual organization of Gau Tao Festival, clearly affirming the special attention of all levels and sectors in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Mong people in Hoa Binh.
This is also an opportunity for Mai Chau district to promote and introduce the history, culture and tourism potential of the two communes of Hang Kia and Pa Co to domestic and international tourists.
Not only does it meet the aspirations and spiritual life of the people of Hang Kia and Pa Co communes, the festival also contributes to building a healthy cultural and spiritual life and creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere for the people of the two communes to welcome the Spring of At Ty 2025.
Gau Tao Festival has two main parts: ceremony and festival.
Ceremony: The main ceremony is the pole-raising ceremony. The pole in the Gau Tao Festival symbolizes the sacred tree connecting heaven and earth. The pole is planted on a large, flat piece of land.
The top of the pole always faces the East - the direction of birth with the wish to have children, also the direction of the Sun with the wish for a bountiful harvest. The pole worship ceremony has offerings of chicken, wine, rice, and paper.
The celebrant lights incense, burns votive paper money, then walks counterclockwise 3 times around the pole, then walks counterclockwise 3 times more, sings the Tinh Chay song, sets a date, and informs the gods about raising the pole and organizing the thanksgiving ceremony.
The ceremony is held with the wish that heaven, earth, and gods will bless the village with peace, a bountiful harvest, favorable weather, and good health for everyone, every family, and a prosperous business, with good livestock and crops.
Festival: The young men and women, the elderly and children of the Mong people hold hands and dance in circles to the rhythm of the Khen. In Mong culture, the Khen represents spirituality and traditional beliefs, and is a sacred object in Mong rituals and festivals.
Coming to the Gau Tao Festival, visitors can also enjoy unique performances imbued with the cultural identity of the Mong people; participate in activities such as panpipe dancing, pao throwing, visit food and cultural booths, cheer on traditional sports , pounding sticky rice cakes... and other unique cultural activities of the local people./.
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/le-hoi-gau-tao-gin-giu-va-bao-ton-van-hoa-cua-nguoi-mong-o-hoa-binh-240008.html
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