The Pig Procession Festival in La Phu

NDO - Every year, on the 13th and early morning of the 14th of the first lunar month, the people of La Phu commune (Hoai Duc district, Hanoi ) hold a procession of the "pig god". According to historical records, the pig procession is to commemorate the merits of the tutelary deity Tinh Quoc Tam Lang during the reign of Hung Due Vuong VI. Unlike many other festivals where the palanquin carrying the tutelary deity is the center of the procession, in La Phu (Hoai Duc, Hanoi), the palanquin is used to carry the "pig god".

NDO - Every year, on the 13th and early morning of the 14th of the first lunar month, the people of La Phu commune (Hoai Duc district, Hanoi) hold a procession of the "pig god". According to historical records, the pig procession is to commemorate the merits of the tutelary deity Tinh Quoc Tam Lang during the reign of Hung Due Vuong VI. Unlike many other festivals where the palanquin carrying the tutelary deity is the center of the procession, in La Phu (Hoai Duc, Hanoi), the palanquin is used to carry the "pig god".

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 06:55

The pigs offered as sacrifices are carefully selected and raised by the villagers each year. Each village is allowed to choose only one "sacrificial pig," and it must be large, fat, well-cared for, and clean.

These "sacrificial pigs" will be brought to the homes of the village elders (the families hosting the procession of the "sacrificial pig" for that village), where they will be slaughtered, beautifully decorated, and placed on palanquins, awaiting an auspicious time to be carried to the communal house for the sacrificial ceremony.

This year, the "pig of the year" in Thong Nhat II village weighs 210kg.

Around 6 PM, when the lanterns and flashing lights decorating the village streets and alleys simultaneously light up, the "pig effigies" and offerings are carried by the villagers through the alleys and streets to the sound of lively and festive drums.

The "pig," weighing over 200 kg, was carried by strong young men from the village.

The "pigs" used in the La Phu pig procession festival are decorated in various ways, including the nose, eyes, ears, head, tail, and limbs.

The festival attracts a large number of locals and tourists.

At around 8 PM, the "sacrificial pigs" were carried to the front gate of La Phu communal house in preparation for the sacrificial ceremony.

Each village decorated their "pig" in a different way, but it had to be the most majestic and beautiful to have any hope of winning the prize.

According to tradition, the hamlet closest to the village temple will lead the procession first, followed by those further away, moving slowly towards the temple. One hamlet follows another, with each procession arranged in a specific order: leading the way are two large flags, followed by the brass band, lion dance troupe, and so on.

The more beautiful the shape and skin of the pig being carried on a palanquin for the sacrificial ceremony, the more favorable the villagers believe they will encounter in the coming year. The judging criteria are that the pig that is the biggest, most beautifully decorated, and most majestic will win the village prize.

The "pig effigies" were carried into the temple one by one under the guidance of the organizers and the village elders.

At midnight, the elders begin the sacrificial ceremony, which lasts until 2 a.m. the following morning. After the ceremony, the villages will carry the "sacrificial pig" back to their homes and distribute the offerings to the families.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-nguoi-dan-thuc-xuyen-dem-xem-ruoc-ong-lon-khong-lo-lang-la-phu-post859415.html