The beauty of spring in Dong Bong village

In the early days of spring, arriving at Dong Bong village, Tong Son commune, one can easily feel the fresh, peaceful atmosphere. The road leading into the village winds beneath rows of bamboo. In front, Tuong Son mountain acts as a natural screen, while in the distance, the Tong Giang river flows like a soft, gentle silk ribbon, embracing the village. All of this unfolds into a picturesque landscape, ancient, tranquil, and full of vitality. In the center of the village, Dong Bong communal house stands majestically, its dark tiled roof reflecting the passage of time.

The people of Dong Bong village are building the communal house.

The communal house is a place of worship dedicated to the village's tutelary deity, Tô Hiến Thành. The people of Động Bồng in the past believed that this fertile land was where his father chose to live and raise him, a man of exceptional talent in both literature and martial arts. Therefore, the communal house is not only an architectural masterpiece bearing the mark of their ancestors' talent, but also a spiritual symbol, the "heart" of the Động Bồng community. Every spring, this space becomes the center of cultural activities for the community. Most notably, the sacred custom of burning communal house materials – a ritual performed at the moment of the New Year's Eve transition – is a prominent feature. This is not just a ceremonial custom, but also a symbol of faith, aspiration for goodness, and the spirit of community cohesion.

According to Mr. Vu Van Muon, an elder in the village: "The custom of burning the temple's fire has existed for a long time, expressing the wish to ward off the misfortunes of the old year and light up the new year with good fortune. The blazing fire not only has spiritual significance but also symbolizes community unity. From the preparation to the moment the fire blazes in the temple courtyard, the whole village seems to share the same heartbeat."

To prepare for this ritual, starting from the 20th day of the 12th lunar month each year, the villagers of Dong Bong gather to go to Tuong Son mountain to cut down "le le" trees – a type of bamboo with a small, hollow, flexible trunk containing flammable oil. The trees are brought back, dried, and bundled into large bunches to make the "dinh lieu" (a type of ceremonial pole). From the 25th day of the 12th lunar month, the atmosphere at the communal house becomes lively. Elderly people clean the altars and decorate the grounds. Strong young men bring the dried "le le" trees into the courtyard and bundle them into the shape of a dragon – a sacred symbol of strength and aspiration. The "dinh lieu" are tightly bound and neatly arranged in the courtyard. The work may seem simple, but it requires careful attention and guidance from elders to ensure the traditional rituals are followed correctly. This is also how the older generation teaches the younger generation about the meaning of the custom and how to practice the culture. Through this, the younger generation can understand that behind that blazing fire lies not only the meticulousness, skill, and unity of the people, but also a profound cultural depth.

On the afternoon of the 30th day of the lunar year, the palanquin is brought out to the center of the temple courtyard, positioned correctly with its head raised high and its body lowered. Near the moment of midnight, a procession of elderly people and young men carry the palanquin, torches in hand, into the mountain to obtain the sacred fire. The sacred flame must be carefully preserved, not allowed to go out on the way back to the temple. This is because the people believe that a continuously burning fire is a sign of good fortune and prosperity in the new year.

When the fire is carried to the inner sanctuary, the elders perform a ritual to inform the village's guardian deity, asking permission to light the fire to welcome the new year. At the exact moment of midnight, the fire blazes brightly amidst the lively drumming and the joyful atmosphere of the villagers, creating a sacred space. In that moment, people seem to merge with heaven and earth, expressing their hopes for favorable weather, a peaceful family life, and a prosperous homeland. Many families ask to take the fire home, believing that keeping the fire burning warmly symbolizes maintaining harmony in the new year. This image is both simple and rich in symbolism, reflecting the connection between the spiritual and daily lives of the people.

The beauty of the traditional burning of communal house fires today is also reflected in its well-organized and safe practices, involving consultation and consensus within the community and coordination with local authorities. The communal house fire thus always becomes a connecting thread between the past and the present, between people.

Village head Tong Van Khuyen of Dong Bong said: “This is a long-standing custom passed down from our ancestors. The villagers are always conscious of preserving this custom in a civilized, economical, and safe manner. The greatest value of this tradition lies in the unity in preserving culture, which in turn leads to unity in carrying out local tasks and movements, contributing to the development of our homeland.”

Besides the sacred rituals, vibrant cultural and sporting activities also take place at the village communal house and cultural center at the beginning of spring. Folk games and cultural exchange programs create a joyful and unifying atmosphere. Spring in Dong Bong is therefore not only the sacred moment of the communal house fire, but also a season of reunion and sharing.

Amidst the vibrant colors of spring, the village fire not only illuminates the courtyard on New Year's Eve but also ignites a sense of preserving one's roots in each villager. With each passing spring, the tradition continues, enriching the spirit of the village with the responsibility and pride of the community.

Text and photos: Quynh Chi

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/net-dep-ngay-xuan-o-lang-dong-bong-279013.htm