Vibrant colors of the village
In the crisp January and February, throughout the countryside, from the riverine plains to the coastal areas, the festive atmosphere is vibrant, opening up a familiar and lively cultural space. There, the imprint of traditional agricultural and fishing production is not only evident in the rituals of worship but also in the offerings, the way communities are organized, and the folk games passed down through generations.
According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, spring festivals in Da Nang largely stem from the religious needs of the agricultural population, where people are closely connected to nature, the land, and the seasons. Therefore, in each festival, the image of the offering tray with rice, fruits, and local agricultural products always holds a central position, expressing the hope for a year of favorable weather and a bountiful harvest.
Over the centuries, the agricultural heritage of Quang Nam province, stretching along the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin, has preserved its unique identity, with many distinctive festivals being maintained and revived. Typical examples include the Thu Bon Goddess Festival (Duy Xuyen commune), the Chiem Son Goddess Festival (Duy Xuyen commune), the Phuong Chao Goddess Festival (Vu Gia commune), the Cam Nam sticky corn festival (Hoi An ward), and the Cua Dai fishing festival (Hoi An Dong ward)...
Alongside these, unique festivals have also been formed in the ancient villages, such as the Cau Bong Tra Que festival (Hoi An Tay ward), the Tuy Loan village temple festival (Hoa Vang commune), the Ky Yen festival (Go Noi commune), and the Loc Yen village festival (Tien Phuoc commune)...
The festival atmosphere is therefore imbued with the colors of working life. The sound of drums echoes across the fields, by the riverbank, or in front of the communal house, signaling the start of a new planting season. Brightly colored flags flutter, and people gather in large numbers, creating a vibrant picture of community life typical of the countryside. Following the solemn ceremony is the festival with many familiar folk games such as tug-of-war, pot smashing, traditional folk singing, and cooking competitions…
These activities are not only entertaining but also reflect the skills and lifestyles of agricultural communities, where community spirit and solidarity are always prioritized. It is in these simple celebrations that generations connect, those who have left have the opportunity to return, and young people can access and better understand the traditions of their homeland.
It is not only an occasion to commemorate ancestors and deities, but also a space for people to express their faith in the prosperity and development of occupations connected to the land and water. In this context, agriculture is inseparable from rivers, seas, and the ocean, clearly reflecting the characteristics of a region that simultaneously cultivates rice, relies on the sea, and develops traditional crafts.
According to Mr. Tong Quoc Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An Ward, the recently held Cam Nam sticky corn festival contributed to encouraging people to preserve the traditional sticky corn farming profession associated with tourism . It also provided an opportunity for farmers, producers, and businesses to connect, promote their products, and expand their markets.
Maintaining appeal and fostering community cohesion.
Amidst rapid urbanization, many localities in Da Nang are striving to preserve and promote the value of festivals associated with agricultural characteristics. Festival organization is becoming increasingly systematic while retaining traditional core elements, and incorporating experiential activities such as farming, processing agricultural products, and showcasing traditional crafts to attract tourists.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hoi An Ward, said that traditional festivals play an extremely important role in preserving not only the ancient town of Hoi An but also traditional crafts and villages. Therefore, the government always prioritizes the preservation and restoration of these traditional crafts. In the near future, the authorities will implement the "Bamboo Museum" project in the west of Kim Bong village to create a green ecosystem adapted to climate change. At the same time, it will also create more space to promote the agricultural identity associated with local crafts and festivals.
The Ky Yen festival in Go Noi commune always attracts a large number of participants from all generations, including people living far from home. This contributes significantly to building the homeland into one of the exemplary models of a livable new rural development.
Mr. Ngo Cong Ha, Head of Bao An village, Go Noi commune, shared that over the years, the Ky Yen Festival, associated with Bao An communal house (a city-level historical and cultural relic), has always seen the joint efforts of 11 clans in the village, along with local people and those living far from home who always look back to their roots.
"Besides praying for favorable weather, national peace and prosperity, and bountiful harvests, it's also important that we create a space for community bonding because culture is identity, helping people to be closer to each other, making the village peaceful and happy. This is also a key point to educate the younger generation in the locality about their roots," Mr. Ha said.
Mr. Ton That Huong, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City Folk Arts Association (under the Da Nang City Union of Literature and Arts Associations), believes that preserving and passing on cultural heritage from one generation to the next is a way to maintain our identity without interruption and also a way to create a solid foundation for local socio-economic development.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/giu-hon-le-hoi-mua-xuan-3330123.html
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