Tau Sai Ceremony - A mark of maturity and solidarity of the Dao Tien community in Cao Bang

In the rich ritual system of the Dao people, the initiation ceremony is considered a "spiritual birth ceremony" that helps a man officially enter the ranks of adults in the sacred space of folk beliefs and be recognized by the community.

The Tau Sai ceremony, also known as the 12-lamp initiation ceremony, is a grand ceremony for those who have reached maturity in personality, prestige and knowledge, and are capable of taking on the role of “teacher” in spiritual and community life. Therefore, only when all human conditions and the consensus of the entire clan are met can the Tau Sai ceremony be performed.

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Those who are allowed to participate in Tau Sai must meet strict conditions: have a happy family, many children and grandchildren, no recent funerals, and especially must be moral and gradually affirm their role in the family and community.

Tau Sai therefore not only marks a personal turning point but also reflects the deep relationship between each individual and the collective, between tradition and the responsibility to continue and preserve traditional customs and practices.

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The Tau Sai Ceremony is a major event that requires careful preparation for the grand ceremony to be held solemnly. The center of the ceremony is the shaman.

Traditionally, the Tau Sai ceremony must have at least 14 monks, including five main monks and nine assistant monks from outside the family, selected based on prestige, knowledge and recognition from the community. They preside over important rituals that last for many days.

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During the ordination ceremony, rituals such as reading the dharma name, offering incense, presenting offerings, ceremonial dance, ceremonial singing, etc. are performed in order and solemnly according to ancestral traditions.

Every step, every offering carries a profound philosophy of life, a unique identity of Dao Tien culture passed down through memory and practice.

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In the current context, when social life has many changes, the Dao Tien people in Hoa Tham commune still strive to maintain the organization of the Tau Sai ceremony in their own way to both preserve the traditional spirit and flexibly adjust to suit reality.

The ceremony time is shortened, some procedures are simplified, the scale of organization is saved but does not lose the sacred nature and core spiritual and cultural values ​​of the ritual.

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While previously the initiation ceremony was only held within the clan, it has now been opened to outsiders to participate, observe, and record. The spirit of selective inheritance and innovation without breaking the traditional structure has helped the Tau Sai ceremony continue to “live” in the heart of the community.

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The Tau Sai Festival becomes a bridge, contributing to promoting heritage and spreading the Dao ethnic identity to the wider community. This space is also an environment for practicing and transmitting the values ​​of traditional folk beliefs, reflecting the rich spiritual life of the indigenous community.

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Tau Sai is a form of folk cultural activity, an important ritual, but more than that, it is a message affirming the identity of the Dao Tien community.

Each ceremony is not only to honor an adult individual but also an opportunity for the community to strengthen the sacred connection between humans-ancestors-nature-society... at the same time,educating morality for the next generation.

The person who is granted the 12-lamp title will be qualified to preside over major ceremonies in the clan and is also responsible for passing on the culture, spirituality, and language of the ancestors to future generations.

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In the overall picture of Vietnam's ethnic minorities, the Tau Sai festival is a special cultural highlight. Not as colorful as seasonal festivals, nor as noisy or showy, but imbued with the depth of folk knowledge and the spirit of community cohesion.

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The spread of the Tau Sai ceremony in today's life shows that traditional cultural values ​​truly live when placed in the flow of the present, when each community clearly recognizes its role and strength in preserving heritage.

Rituals such as Tau Sai are endogenous resources contributing to the sustainable development of the highlands, linking cultural preservation with tourism , education, communication and integration.

(Photo: VU LINH)

In the highlands of the border, the Tau Sai ceremony still shines like a never-ending cultural flame, fostering the spirit of community solidarity, arousing pride in the origin and national identity. From there, it fosters the awareness of preserving traditional culture, creating a solid spiritual foundation for the journey of sustainable development.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/le-tau-sai-dau-an-truong-thanh-va-gan-ket-cong-dong-nguoi-dao-tien-o-cao-bang-post879598.html