Katê Festival in Ninh Thuan: Exploring Cham cultural heritage

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Katê Tet, a national intangible cultural heritage of the Cham people. Learn about the time, location, and unique rituals.

The Katê Festival is one of the most important cultural and religious events of the Cham community practicing Brahmanism in Ninh Thuận. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival is not only an occasion to commemorate gods and ancestors but also a vibrant and colorful cultural space that attracts tourists to explore .

The Katê festival is one of the largest and most distinctive festivals of the Cham people.

Time and location of the event

The Katê Festival is held annually on the 1st of July according to the Cham calendar, which corresponds to approximately the end of September to the beginning of October in the Gregorian calendar. The main rituals take place at the ancient and sacred Cham tower complexes.

• Po Klong Garai Tower: Located in Do Vinh ward, Phan Rang - Thap Cham city.
• Po Rome Tower and Po Inu Nugar Temple: Located in Phuoc Huu commune, Ninh Phuoc district.

These are religious centers where the Cham community gathers to perform the most important rituals of the festival.

The Katê festival is held at the ancient Cham towers in Ninh Thuận .

Cultural and religious significance

The Katê Festival holds profound significance in the spiritual life of the Cham people. It is an occasion for the community to express reverence and gratitude to the deities, the kings who contributed to the nation, and to remember their deceased ancestors. At the same time, people pray for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, abundant harvests, and a life of warmth, happiness, and well-being. Because of these special values, the Katê Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.

Unique rituals and activities

The Katê festival consists of two main parts: the ceremonial part and the festive part, each with its own unique characteristics, reflecting the rich Cham culture.

The solemn ceremony

The ceremony unfolds with solemn traditional rituals. The most important ritual is the procession of the deities' robes up to the tower, performed by community leaders. This is followed by rituals such as opening the tower doors, bathing the statues, and dressing them in new robes. The entire process takes place in a sacred atmosphere, blended with the melodious sounds of the Ghi-nang drums, Saranai horns, and Kanhi string instruments.

The ritual of carrying the robes of the gods up to the tower during the Katê festival.

The festival part was lively.

Following the solemn ceremonies, the festival brings a joyful and vibrant atmosphere. This is when the community and visitors alike immerse themselves in cultural and artistic activities. Traditional fan dances and pot-carrying dances performed by Cham girls in colorful costumes are always the highlight of the festival. In addition, folk games such as water-carrying competitions and stick pushing are also organized, attracting enthusiastic participation and fostering community cohesion.

Traditional dances are an integral part of the Katê festival's festivities.

Notes for visitors attending the festival.

To have a complete experience and show respect for the local culture, visitors to the Katê Festival should note the following points:

• Attire: Choose polite, modest clothing when attending ceremonies at the temple area.
• Respect the rituals: Remain silent, avoid making noise, and follow the rules at the place of worship. Ask permission before taking photos, especially during important ceremonies.
• Maintain cleanliness: Do not litter indiscriminately to protect the overall landscape of the historical site.
• Personal safety: Festivals are often very crowded, so please take care to protect your personal belongings.
• Cultural exchange: Feel free to participate in the festival's activities, but maintain a moderate and respectful attitude.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/le-hoi-kate-ninh-thuan-kham-pha-di-san-van-hoa-cham-404167.html