Cultural beauty of Keo village

The cultural beauty of Keo village

Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 09:09:42

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Keo village is the affectionate name that people often call Dung Nhue village in the past, now consisting of 3 hamlets Hanh Dung Nghia, Dung Nghia, Dung Nhue in Duy Nhat commune (Vu Thu). People of Keo village not only contribute significantly to preserving and conserving the special national relic Keo pagoda to become a spiritual and cultural destination, attracting tourists from all over the world, but also are active factors in creating, practicing and directly enjoying traditional cultural values ​​in the festival that has become "spring and autumn" here.

The procession of the Holy Saint during the autumn festival at Keo Pagoda involves the participation of the elders and younger generations of Keo village.

During the autumn festival at Keo Pagoda, the life and deeds of the revered national master Duong Khong Lo are reenacted as a historical performance, preserving many religious rituals but also imbued with the rich nuances of folk culture, including frog-catching dances and dry-land rowing. In recent years, the people of Keo village have not only performed these traditional dances in the procession of the revered master at the historical site but have also recreated them on the opening stage of the traditional festival and performed them at the province's cultural, sports , and tourism festival to promote the unique culture of their homeland.

As one of the elders of Keo village, Mr. Hoang The Dong, a member of the Keo Pagoda Festival Organizing Committee, has participated in the traditional rituals of the festival for many years. According to Mr. Dong, the most valuable aspect is that the opening ceremony of the temple and the procession of the Holy Saint are still meticulously maintained according to the old customs, preserving the original form without any alterations. Generations of descendants of Keo village have joined hands to preserve the unique characteristics of the festival. Mr. Dong shared: "The preparation alone takes a whole month to ensure everything is complete, thorough, and perfect. From those participating in the palanquin procession, the children rowing the boats, to the elderly in yellow robes, even those who have participated in the traditional festival for many years, before the spring and autumn festivals, they all practice everything from walking and lining up to handling weapons in a uniform, beautiful, and precise manner. The people wholeheartedly dedicate their time and effort to the preparation, so all the rituals in the festival are solemn and show their reverence."

Over 70 years old, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tham has participated in the procession at Keo Pagoda festival for more than 10 years. She said: "Visitors to Keo Pagoda on the main day of the autumn festival are very impressed with the procession, capturing beautiful images and learning about the meaning of this activity from the local people. We villagers of Keo hope to participate in the procession of the Holy Saint every year, expressing our gratitude to our ancestors and praying for good fortune. The procession includes a group of young shepherd children, symbolizing the children who herd buffalo. Before participating, they are taught about the village's ancient traditions by their elders. From generation to generation in Keo village, this tradition has been passed down through generations."

Not only during festivals, the enthusiasm and hospitality of the people of Keo village have created a positive impression on visitors from all over when they come to offer incense, participate in the festival, and admire the temple's scenery. Mr. Nguyen Phuc Tho, a visitor from Hanoi, shared: "I have come to offer incense at Keo Pagoda many times, every year during the spring festival and in the ninth lunar month. I am very proud of this ancient pagoda in Thai Binh . I introduce it to my friends and have personally accompanied many groups of visitors to introduce this ancient structure with its special bell tower. What is most appreciated is that every time I come to Keo Pagoda, whether on the main festival day or a regular day, I have the opportunity to chat with the friendly people and easily find local gifts such as red peanuts and sticky rice, products of Keo village, as souvenirs of each trip."

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, a tourist from Hai Phong city, said: The first time I visited Keo Pagoda following the information introduced on the media channels, I was impressed by the enthusiastic and detailed introduction by the tour guide at the relic, helping me understand more about the history and ancient architecture of Keo Pagoda. The beautiful and poetic scenery and airy space make people feel more peaceful when returning to the sacred place.

The role of the people as the main subject is always an extremely important factor and is affirmed through each Keo Pagoda festival season. From the stage of organizing and practicing traditional rituals to the enthusiastic participation in festival activities and the friendliness and civility in reception have left a good impression in the hearts of visitors from all over the world... Because of the main role of the people, the quintessence of cultural heritage imbued with national identity is preserved, passed on and promoted.

Thanh Hang

Source: https://baothaibinh.com.vn/tin-tuc/19/209827/net-dep-van-hoa-lang-keo