Preserving the heritage of the Nung people

Over the years, Thai Nguyen has affirmed its position as the economic, cultural and educational center of the Northern Midlands and Mountains. Intangible cultural heritages and traditional festivals have been cared for, preserved and promoted not only for future generations, but also for economic development and tourism promotion. Among them, the unique Ooc Po Festival of the Nung ethnic group, in Tan Do hamlet, Van Lang commune, is one of the unique cultural values ​​being preserved.

People participate in the Ooc Po festival of the Nung people.

The Ooc Po Festival, in Nung language called "Going to the Hill Festival", is held with the meaning of praying for bad things and evil to leave the village, for good crops, development of livestock, and for people to be warm, prosperous, and happy.

The festival is also an opportunity for people to have fun and relax after a year of hard work, an opportunity for people to show off their talents through games, singing and responding, and also through that to find out and choose their life partner. The organization of the festival before 2007 was not maintained regularly, sometimes it was held every one or two years.

Nowadays, the festival is held on the 4th day of Tet every year, so before Tet, the village officials will hold a meeting to discuss the plan and carefully assign tasks for both the ceremony and the festival.

On the festival day, from early morning the shaman, acting as the main celebrant, was present at the communal house to burn incense and beat gongs and drums to signal the people in the area to prepare. The shaman's ceremonial attire included a the robe, a turban, and white pants.

According to the Nung people's belief, on this holiday, the shaman or the Taoist priest will be the representative of the villagers to communicate with the gods, so he cannot wear the long yellow robe of a shaman, or the green shirt and cassock of a Taoist priest.

Usually the worshiping ceremony starts at 8:30 am and lasts for half an hour. The offerings (salty and vegetarian) after being prepared will be placed on trays carried by men in traditional costumes from the village chief's house to the communal house, followed by women in traditional Nung women's costumes. Families in the hamlet also carry offerings to the communal house.

Included in the ritual process is a Taoist ritual dance with the meaning of praying for peace, performed in the communal house yard right after the celebrant has completed the necessary procedures inside the communal house.

Traditionally, the main ceremony is presided over by a shaman or a knowledgeable and prestigious village elder. Currently, the ceremony is conducted by Mr. Hoang Van Toong, a shaman.

Mr. Toong shared: According to the elders, the ceremony includes two or three castrated chickens, inviting the King and the village's tutelary deity to have a friendly meal, and allowing the festival to begin, followed by blessing the cadres and people with good health and unity all year round.

The festival has many folk games such as cockfighting, throwing con, walking on stilts...

Depending on the regulations of each year, the festival has different cultural and artistic activities and games. However, unicorn dancing, throwing con and Sli singing are indispensable. In addition, the festival also has games such as swallow fighting, stilt walking, etc.

Since 2007, when the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Nguyen province organized the restoration, the Festival has been maintained and held regularly every year, as a unique traditional cultural feature of the Nung people in particular and of the local ethnic groups in general.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202512/giu-gin-di-san-cua-dong-bao-nung-7cd5fbf/