Mr. Pham Thanh Tung performs the pole-raising ceremony at home on the 29th of Tet.
In Tay Ninh , most temples and communal houses usually hold the opening ceremony on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. Exceptions include Ba communal house (Ben hamlet, An Thanh commune, Ben Cau district), Long Khanh communal house (Ben Cau district) which holds the ceremony on the 3rd day and the temple of Quan Lon Huynh Cong Nghe (Hao Duoc commune, Chau Thanh district) which holds the ceremony on the 9th day...
The pole has become a familiar image in the traditional New Year in Vietnam with the meaning of driving away evil spirits at the beginning of the year and wishing for good things and luck in the new year. Until now, this custom in Tay Ninh is still maintained in temples, communal houses and some traditional families. Usually after sending the Kitchen God or preparing the seal, sending the god, the folk religious establishments and private homes start to erect the pole. In Trang Bang, people have always erected the pole in the afternoon of the last day of the year (29th or 30th of Tet).
Erecting a flagpole at Thai Binh communal house, Tay Ninh city (photo: Minh Tri)
The bamboo used to erect the pole must be a good one, on top of which hang amulets, a basket containing betel and areca nuts, rice and salt, gold coins, a piece of red cloth (sometimes taken from a corner of a shaman's handkerchief), firecrackers, incense, lanterns... Modern families also erect the pole, but on top hang lanterns and flashing lights to suit contemporary society. The pole is erected in front of a communal house, temple or house. After erecting, the celebrant lights incense and prays to the local tutelary god, heaven and earth to witness and bless.
According to Mr. Pham Thanh Tung (residing in Bau May quarter, An Tinh ward, Trang Bang town), erecting the pole is a tradition of his family that has been carried out for many generations. In the past, the pole erection ceremony was very solemn, with an altar set up and offerings of sweet rice and sweet soup; but now, only the pole erection and incense burning at the base of the tree are performed.
The pole is erected until the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. When the pole is taken down, people return to their daily lives, bringing with them good wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Opening ceremony at Tien Su temple (An Hoa ward, Trang Bang town)
People in An Phu hamlet, An Hoa village (now Hoa Phu quarter, An Hoa ward, Trang Bang town) also prepare offerings to worship at the Tien Su temple, because according to ancient custom, the 7th day of Tet is also the Tien Su's birthday. The Tien Su temple is also known as the square house in An Phu in the past, very majestic, located at the intersection of three roads, not far from An Hoa communal house, built of wood, roofed with tiles, in the temple there are drums and gongs.
Due to the land being given up to build An Phu Primary School, the temple was narrowed down, right at the intersection next to the school. Later, people built houses, and the temple was once again narrowed down to the yard of Mr. Pham Van Muot's house (his family had been the temple's caretaker for 4 generations. Now that he has passed away, his wife and children continue to serve). The only remaining ancient relic is the square house gong.
In the past, the temple worship ceremony was very solemn. At around 4am, the village dignitaries, dressed neatly, went to the temple to offer incense and start the bell (the gong). Every family in the village cooked sticky rice, sweet soup, porridge, boiled chicken, duck, roasted pig... and brought them to offer. When finished, everyone set up at the temple, gathered together to eat and have fun...
The worshiping ceremony takes place all day long. Although the temple has now been moved to the courtyard of the ancestor's house, the old custom is still preserved by the residents. They remember the day, prepare offerings to worship, and pray for the villagers to have a peaceful and healthy new year, and for their business to always be favorable.
Opening ceremony at Phuoc Hiep communal house (Gia Binh ward, Trang Bang town).
The temple of the Lady of the Land Nguyen Nhung, located in Ba Nha hamlet, Don Thuan commune, Trang Bang town, holds the opening ceremony on the 7th of January, and this is also the main ceremony of the temple. The opening ceremony at the temple is organized by the people in the hamlet because there is no temple festival. At Phuoc Hiep communal house (Gia Binh ward, Trang Bang town), the Festival Committee and the people worship the local tutelary god, pray for peace for the people, for prosperity for the country, prosperity for the country, prosperity for the family, good people, world peace, and mutual support among mankind...
Thanh Phat Fee
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/khai-ha-a185849.html
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