Lai Chau introduces Then Kin Pang festival at the 2nd Festival of Pole Performance and Cultural, Sports and Tourism Exchange of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in 2023

Recently, from November 23 to 25, 2023, the 2nd Festival of Pole Performance and Cultural, Sports and Tourism Exchange of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in 2023 took place at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village, Dong Mo, Son Tay, Hanoi. The festival was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

The festival aims to preserve and promote the tradition of great national unity; honor cultural heritage, practically celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the Traditional Day - Founding Day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930 - November 18, 2023), and celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23).

At this festival, 6 participating provinces and cities brought new perspectives on the pole in the cultural and spiritual life of ethnic groups. In particular, the Lai Chau delegation introduced the Then Kin Pang festival of the Thai ethnic group in Trung Dong commune, Tan Uyen district, Lai Chau province. The competition was performed by artisan Lo Van Vuong and Thai ethnic people in Trung Dong commune, Tan Uyen district, Lai Chau province.

A group of artisans and actors from Lai Chau province reenacted the Then Kin pang festival at the Festival of Pole Performance and Cultural, Sports and Tourism Exchange of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups .

In Lai Chau province, the Thai ethnic group accounts for the largest proportion of the province's population. The Thai people in Lai Chau have a very rich and diverse traditional cultural treasure. In their spiritual life, they believe in the existence of Then Muong, where Then and the Creator of Muong are, that is, the gods who govern the earth, sky, rain, and sun. The happiness or suffering of human life on earth is given by Then and the Creator.

Among the Then mo-related rituals of the Thai people, the Then Kin pang festival (in Thai, meaning Then descending to earth to play at the pole festival) is the biggest festival, most clearly demonstrating the cultural identity of the Thai people. This festival is held by the Thai people to pray to Then and the gods of the sky for health, favorable weather, and good crops.

The competition was performed by artisan Lo Van Vuong and people of Trung Dong commune, Tan Uyen district, Lai Chau province.

The center of the Then Kin Pang festival is the pole ("sang pang") made from a wild banana tree and two wild areca trees joined together. On it are: banana flowers, a favorite dish for the souls of wild animals to enjoy the blessings; fresh flowers and flowers made of colored thread symbolizing the beautiful mountains and forests, the Muong villages; paper insects symbolizing a prosperous life, where all species have food; two dyed eggs, favorite toys of the rain god and the sun god; colored cloth strips are props for the dance team to perform to serve Then and the gods.

The pole in the Then kin pang festival of the Thai people in Lai Chau.

Then Kin Festival The Thai people's Pang takes place from 1.5 to 2 days. During this time, the Then shaman sits in front of the offering tray and the Then altar to sing Then to the accompaniment of the flute. The Then lyrics narrate a mysterious journey of the shaman's soul on the way to heaven, inviting Then to come down to earth to celebrate, asking Then to bestow health and luck on the villagers, inviting Then to receive blessings and sending Then back to heaven.

After the Then singing part is the entertainment part serving the king and the mandarins of the Muong Troi, this is also the most exciting part of the festival, the adopted children of Then gather around the pole, performing traditional dances of the nation. For the Thai people, the king and mandarins of the Muong Troi are the ancient Muong mandarins, after eating and drinking well, they must watch the dance and singing. They believe that when this festival takes place, the king and mandarins of the Muong Troi are also joining the festival yard to dance and sing with the young girls.

Scarf dance performance at Then Kin Pang festival.

On the festival grounds, the young women also performed the “Tang bu tang bang” dance and the “sinh thuc khi” dance. In the “Tang bu tang bang” dance , they together beat the bamboo tube on the wooden floor to create a loud sound that imitates thunder, praying for rain for a good harvest; the “sinh thuc khi” dance is full of fertility, reflecting the Thai people’s desire for the growth of all species.

The dance "Tang bu tang bang" is to pray for rain for a good crop.

Then Kin Pang Festival not only has an important meaning in spiritual life but is also a space to preserve the unique cultural features of the Thai people such as: language, costumes, cuisine and folk arts. Playing Then Kin Pang Festival is an opportunity for Thai people to review the history of national development and educate, pass on the good traditional cultural values of the nation to their children.

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