Xa Ma Festival - Hoang Chau Communal House palanquin procession: Unique cultural heritage of the Northern coastal region

(Haiphong.gov.vn) - On the morning of July 27 (June 10 of the lunar calendar) at the Hoang Chau Communal House - Pagoda Historical and Cultural Relic Site (Cat Hai District), the People's Committee of Hoang Chau Commune organized the opening ceremony of the Xa Ma Traditional Festival - Hoang Chau Communal House Palanquin Procession. A large number of tourists and local people attended.

Traditional festival of Hoang Chau Communal House, Cat Hai district.

Xa Ma Festival - Hoang Chau Communal House palanquin procession is one of 12 intangible cultural heritages included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages with unique cultural values, typical of the life of residents in the coastal region of Northern Vietnam.

Hoang Chau Communal House was built about 300 years ago.

To commemorate the event of Hoang Chau Communal House being built about 300 years ago, every year Hoang Chau people hold the Xa Ma Festival - Palanquin Procession. The festival is held from the 10th day of the 6th lunar month and lasts for 3 days, to commemorate the merits of the ancestors, including Princess Lieu Hanh of the Imperial Court, the Supreme God and the two tutelary gods, the General Tuyen Nghi Chi and the Deputy General Duy Bui Chi, who had the merit of founding the village. At the same time, the festival is also an occasion to pray for a year of favorable weather and a bountiful fishing season.

Hoang Chau Communal House palanquin procession.

Unlike the processions of other villages that follow a certain order, the palanquin procession at Dinh Hoang Chau is performed by young men and women running like the wind in the communal house yard and around the village like a divine manifestation.

Wooden horse racing, also known as wooden horse pulling, recreates the training and exercise scenes of ancient soldiers.

Associated with the legend of the two village guardian spirits, the Marshal Do and the Deputy Marshal, the Xa ma, also known as the wooden horse pulling competition, recreates the training and drills of soldiers in ancient times. With two participating teams, the Eastern and Western teams, the competition begins when the command is given by the leader. The two Xa ma - wooden horses are controlled skillfully, rhythmically, strongly and decisively by the commander. Each team must run 3 laps around the field, without touching the line, and without injuring the opponent and team members.

The prize given to the winning team is the gift of the village council. Participating in the competition, both the spectators and the contestants feel like they are participating in a real military exercise.

People and tourists from all over participate in the Festival.

Xa Ma Festival - Palanquin Procession is not only a unique cultural beauty of coastal fishermen but also preserves the long-standing cultural values of our ancestors. Through the festival, we educate the tradition and love for our homeland and country; strengthen solidarity in the village community. At the same time, we create a joyful and exciting atmosphere, encourage people to actively work in production, and build an increasingly prosperous locality./.

Phuong Mai, Photo: Dam Thanh

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