A feast for the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day

Every year, on the anniversary of Hung Kings' death, along with the rest of the country, people in the Mekong Delta always turn their thoughts to the origins of the nation, expressing gratitude to the Hung Kings. The offerings on Hung Kings' death anniversary are simple, but full of sincerity, reflecting the principle of remembering one's roots, a tradition preserved through many generations.

In the subconscious of the Vietnamese people, ancestor worship with specific offerings and rituals, including the preparation of a ceremonial meal during festivals and holidays, is the most distinctive and clearest cultural feature of the practice of Hung Kings worship. According to many elders, each region has its own way of preparing and arranging the ceremonial meal according to its customs. The ceremonial meal for the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day needs to include the basic dishes of banh chung (square sticky rice cake), banh giay (round sticky rice cake), and rice.

A feast offered as a tribute to the Hung Kings. Photo: THUY TIEN

Banh chung and banh giay are two products from the Hung King era, symbolizing the fertility and abundance of all living things. Rice, also taught to the people by the Hung Kings, is a daily staple, so having both sticky and non-sticky rice on the offering plate symbolizes fertility and abundance. Ms. Le Thi Xuan Loc, residing in Tan Hiep commune, shared: "All of this expresses our sincere devotion to our ancestors, hoping for a bountiful harvest, the flourishing of all things, and family unity, striving for progress in learning and work."

Despite being thousands of kilometers away from the ancestral land, for generations, the people of the Mekong Delta in general, and An Giang in particular, have always looked towards the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day with profound reverence. At temples and in every home, the atmosphere of preparation for the commemoration is always lively and warm. For them, the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day is not only a national ceremony but also a major family event. It is an occasion for families to reunite and reminisce about the nation-building and defense traditions of their ancestors.

A unique aspect is that the people here don't prioritize outward appearances but rather focus on sincerity and reverence. The meal may not be luxurious, but it is neat and shows respect for their ancestors. Many families also prepare various traditional cakes such as banh tet and banh it... cakes that are closely associated with the lives of people in the Mekong Delta. These cakes are not only offerings but also symbols of togetherness and reunion.

Banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) is an indispensable dish on the feast table during the Ancestor Commemoration Day. Photo: THUY TIEN

On the occasion of Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, the family of Mr. Huynh Minh Hieu, residing in Rach Gia ward, is busier than usual, as this is the day when children and grandchildren gather to prepare a feast to offer to their ancestors. According to Mr. Hieu, preparing a feast to worship the ancestors is extremely meaningful, both to remember the merits of the Hung Kings who founded the nation and to educate the children about the Hung Kings' worship tradition.

Using local produce, Mr. Hieu's family prepared a simple yet solemn offering meal, complete with traditional Vietnamese dishes, expressing their reverence for their ancestors. "My family doesn't display extravagant dishes; it's just a simple meal with boiled chicken, banh tet (sticky rice cake), bitter melon soup with fish cakes, braised pork with eggs... What's important is our sincerity towards the deceased and our gratitude to the Hung Kings," Mr. Hieu said.

For the people in the communes near the Hung Kings Temple in Tan Hiep, preparing offerings to honor the Hung Kings has become a beautiful tradition maintained for many years. Every year on the afternoon of the 9th day of the 3rd lunar month, some families prepare offerings including traditional dishes, but sticky rice cakes (banh chung and banh giay) are indispensable.

The local culture of offering meals during ancestral commemoration ceremonies clearly reflects the spirit of community. Every year, the locality organizes activities to commemorate the Hung Kings' Ancestral Anniversary. The ceremonial meal here is usually larger, with contributions from many households. After the rituals comes the festivities, where everyone enjoys the food together and participates in cultural performances. The sounds of traditional folk music fill the village, adding meaning and richness to the Ancestral Commemoration Day.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Phu, a resident of Tan Hiep commune, the tradition of holding a ceremonial meal to commemorate the Hung Kings has existed for a long time. It provides an opportunity for families to gather and remember the contributions of the Hung Kings, while also educating their children about national pride and origins. Although life is becoming increasingly modern and many traditional values ​​are at risk of fading, these simple ceremonial meals are still preserved through generations.

THUY TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mam-com-gio-to-hung-vuong-a483578.html