The New Rice Festival of the Si La people is a national heritage.

(CLO) The New Rice Festival of the Si La ethnic group is an agricultural ritual containing many cultural features that have been preserved and passed down through many generations.

On December 12th, at Nam Sin village, the People's Committee of Muong Nha commune ( Dien Bien province) held a ceremony to announce the decision and receive the Certificate of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the "New Rice Festival of the Si La people" and to organize the 2025 New Rice Festival.

The New Rice Festival of the Si La ethnic group in Nam Sin village is a unique ritual; it is a quintessential aspect of the spiritual life of the Si La people.

The Si La ethnic people reenact the New Rice Festival at the ceremony. Photo: VH

The Si La people celebrate the New Rice Festival when the first grains of rice ripen and are ready for harvest. This agricultural ritual embodies many traditional cultural aspects that have been preserved and passed down through generations.

The New Rice Festival is an occasion to express gratitude to previous generations who pioneered and cultivated the fields, allowing the Si La community to enjoy the fruits of a year of hard work, working together to have a bountiful harvest. The ceremony also demonstrates the spirit of unity, community strength, and kinship, and is an opportunity for people to socialize, chat, and relieve worries and anxieties.

At the ceremony, representatives from the Dien Bien Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the leaders of Muong Nha commune announced the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and presented the Certificate of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the Si La New Rice Festival to the cultural heritage custodian.

Following the announcement and awarding ceremony, the festival included a variety of rich and unique activities such as a reenactment of the new rice harvest ceremony; a cultural program showcasing folk songs, dances, and traditional musical instruments of the Si La people; and traditional sports and games like tug-of-war, stick pushing, and stilt walking, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere for the event.

The festival included lively and exciting activities. Photo: VH

The inclusion of the Si La people's New Rice Festival in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage not only affirms the unique value of a long-standing traditional custom, but also demonstrates the concern of the State, local authorities, and the community in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups.

Source: https://congluan.vn/le-mung-com-moi-cua-dong-bao-si-la-la-di-san-quoc-gia-10322406.html