Ritual connecting yin and yang, deepening human morality
According to traditional beliefs, a Dao man is only considered an adult, has a status in the community and is recognized by his ancestors when he has undergone the "coming of age" ceremony. No matter how old he is, if he has not been "arrived of the Dao Sac", he is still considered unqualified to participate in important rituals, and cannot shoulder the common work of the clan and village. On the contrary, a 9-10 year old boy, if he has been "arrived of the Dao Sac", can take on many roles, even assisting the shaman in the ceremony.
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| The shaman performs the ritual in the Dao people's initiation ceremony. |
The coming-of-age ceremony is usually held at the end of the year or early spring - when the harvest is finished and people have time to rest and gather together. Families with sons who have reached adulthood will ask the shaman to choose an auspicious day and month, prepare offerings such as pigs, chickens, wine, paper money, ceremonial clothes... to invite relatives and neighbors to witness the important moment.
The ceremony lasts for 1-2 days and nights, including many consecutive procedures: from purification, setting up an altar, praying to ancestors, dragon dancing, sword dancing, offering wine, to rituals asking for yin and yang and especially the "lamp receiving" ceremony. During this ceremony, the person receiving the title dresses neatly, sits in front of the altar, has a shaman light a lamp and places it on top of their head as an affirmation of their new status. They are given a decree with 10 commandments and 10 vows - like an oath to live a good life, be responsible to their family, community and preserve national traditions.
Not only having spiritual significance, the coming-of-age ceremony is also a special “school” for young people to be educated and taught how to be human. During the ceremony, the shamans will convey profound advice: from respecting grandparents and parents, behaving religiously with neighbors, knowing how to help the disadvantaged… to lessons on how to behave in everyday life.
Ly Ta Chui, a Dao ethnic in Nam Dam village, Quan Ba commune, Tuyen Quang province, shared: “I still remember clearly the teachings of the teachers in the coming-of-age ceremony: when you meet an elderly person on the road, you must know how to greet and help; when you meet someone in an accident, you must not ignore it; in the family, you must be filial to your parents and righteous to your wife and children. Those teachings have followed me throughout my life, becoming a guiding principle when faced with every choice.”
Mr. Trieu Duc Thanh, a Dao ethnic, former Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Giang province, once confided: “I was fortunate to be born into a traditional Dao family. Since childhood, I have heard my grandparents and parents talk about the coming-of-age ceremony with all respect and pride. When I experienced that ceremony myself, I understood its profound meaning even more. The coming-of-age ceremony is not only a spiritual ceremony, but also a life lesson - helping each Dao person understand who they are, where they come from and how they need to live to be worthy of their lineage and roots.”
Unique culture in the middle of the jungle
The Dao people's coming-of-age ceremony is not only a sacred step in the life cycle of each individual, but also a part of the cultural soul, preserved and treasured by the community like a treasure. Whether in Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai , Thai Nguyen... At the end of each year or the beginning of spring, the sound of drums, panpipes, and trumpets echoes through the mountains and forests, reminding descendants of a tradition that has existed for thousands of years.
Also because of its unique educational and artistic value, in 2013, the Dao people's initiation ceremony was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. In many localities, this ceremony has gradually become a typical tourism product, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and learn.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Oanh, a tourist from Hanoi, said: “I have never seen a ceremony so rich in symbolism and humanity. The solemn atmosphere, the sacred dances, the echoing prayers, the tearful eyes of the father watching his son kneeling to perform the ceremony - all made me feel a special cultural depth, beyond the framework of common beliefs.”
Although life today is different, the coming-of-age ceremony may be somewhat simplified, but the core meaning remains intact: it is a sacred milestone marking maturity; it is a connection between yin and yang, descendants and ancestors; it is a mirror reflecting the moral life of each Dao ethnic person. It is from such richly-identified rituals that Dao culture remains steadfast in the midst of the modern vortex - silent but profound, quiet but full of pride.
Article and photos: Duc Quy
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/202507/le-cap-sac-cua-nguoi-dao-soi-chi-do-noi-con-chau-voi-to-tien-df619b7/
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