Ngo Boat Racing Festival - The flow of Khmer heritage in the South through generations

VTV.vn - When the oars are lowered, it is not just a racing rhythm, but a prayer mixed with the sound of water, a connection between people and heaven and earth.

The Ngo Boat Racing Festival - A flow of Khmer heritage in Southern Vietnam through generations.

Every year, when the full moon of the tenth lunar month shines on the water's surface, the resounding sounds of gongs and drums echo throughout the Mekong Delta. This is the Ok Om Bok festival - the Moon Worship Festival, one of the three biggest festivals of the Khmer people in Southern Vietnam, alongside Chol Chnam Thmay Tet and Sen Dolta (ancestor worship).

During the full moon nights, the Ngo boat race, a spectacular part of the festival season, becomes a song of strength and faith, where the national heritage is passed down through generations.

The Ngo boat race, a spectacular part of the festival season, becomes a song of strength and faith, where national heritage is passed down through generations.

Following administrative changes, Can Tho city and Vinh Long province are now the two centers for preserving and spreading this festival: Can Tho with its legendary Maspero River, where festivities are vibrant throughout the full moon season; and Vinh Long with its tranquil Long Binh River, where the lantern festival nights and the lingering sounds of traditional five-tone music evoke memories of the homeland.

Every year, when the full moon of the tenth lunar month shines on the water's surface, the resounding sounds of gongs, drums, and music echo throughout the Mekong Delta.

Can Tho - The spirit of the Maspero River

On the Maspero River, now part of Can Tho City, dozens of colorful Ngo boats in yellow, red, and blue lined up, ready to depart. The boats, over 30 meters long, have curved bows carved with the image of the Naga serpent – ​​a sacred creature in Khmer beliefs – reflecting the sunlight of the early dry season.

On the Maspero River, dozens of colorful Ngo boats in yellow, red, and blue lined up, ready to depart.

When the drum sounded, hundreds of oars simultaneously lowered into the water. The river erupted in cheers and the rhythmic clang of gongs. Waves crashed against the shore, banners fluttered, and tens of thousands of people roared with joy.

Boat teams from Ca Mau, An Giang , Vinh Long, and other provinces gathered to compete, showcasing not only their strength but also the spirit of community solidarity among the Khmer people.

They come together and compete not only with strength but also with the spirit of community solidarity among the Khmer people.

The Ok Om Bok Festival - Ngo Boat Race in Can Tho has now become a major cultural event in the lower Hau River region, attracting tens of thousands of tourists.

Both banks of the river were brightly lit with lanterns and flowers, and the stands were packed. In the middle of the water, the red and yellow colors of the boats, the rhythmic tapping of the five-tone drums, and the smiles of the Khmer people blended together into a vibrant symphony of the Southern Vietnamese moon festival.

The Ok Om Bok Festival - Ngo Boat Race in Can Tho has now become a major cultural event in the lower Hau River region, attracting tourists.

Moon Worship Ceremony - The Soul of the Khmer Festival

For generations, Ok Om Bok has not only been a festival, but also a way for the Khmer people of the riverine region to express their gratitude to heaven and earth.

According to folk beliefs, the Moon is the deity that regulates rain and wind, bestowing blessings for bountiful harvests and bringing prosperity to all households. Therefore, the Moon Worship Ceremony is held on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, when the harvest season ends - as a ritual of thanksgiving and prayer for blessings.

The Moon Worship Ceremony is held on the full moon of the tenth lunar month, when the harvest season ends, as a ritual of thanksgiving and prayer for blessings.

In Khmer villages throughout the delta, people prepare simple yet solemn offerings together: flattened rice flakes, bananas, fresh coconuts, taro, cassava, and flour cakes - pure products from the fields, symbolizing gratitude to nature.

The villagers together prepare a simple yet solemn offering – pure produce from the fields, symbolizing their gratitude to nature.

Under the gentle moonlight, the monks and priests recited prayers for peace, and incense smoke wafted through the air.

The Moon Worship Ceremony - The soul of the Khmer festival season.

The most distinctive ritual is "feeding flattened rice flakes," where adults feed handfuls of rice flakes to children, gently patting their backs and wishing them good grades, good health, and success. When the ceremony ends, everyone gathers, enjoys the rice flakes, tells stories, and smiles warmly. There is no distinction between rich and poor, only closeness, sincerity, and the joy of a bountiful harvest.

The most distinctive ritual is "feeding flattened rice flakes," where adults feed handfuls of flattened rice flakes to young children, gently patting their backs and wishing them good grades, good health, and success.

While the Moon Worship Ceremony is a solemn ritual, the Ngo boat race is a vibrant celebration, a way of thanking the Water God for a year of favorable weather and abundant rain.

Rituals and festivals blend together, creating a unique identity for the Khmer culture of Southern Vietnam, both sacred and vibrant with life.

Rituals and festivals blend together, creating a unique identity for the Khmer culture of Southern Vietnam, both sacred and vibrant with life.

Vinh Long - Long Binh under the moonlight and the shimmering water festival.

Every year, along the Long Binh River and the Ao Ba Om historical site complex, now located in Vinh Long province, the Ok Om Bok festival is organized on a community scale, associated with the Southern Khmer Culture and Tourism Week.

From the afternoon onwards, the small paths around Ao Ba Om were packed with people. The rhythmic drumming of the festival echoed, blending with the laughter and lively calls of people.

The Ao Ba Om historical site complex, now located in Vinh Long province, hosts the Ok Om Bok festival on a community scale, associated with the Southern Khmer Culture and Tourism Week.

As the full moon rises, thousands of lanterns are released to float down the river. The light reflects off the gracefully curved roof of Ang Pagoda, illuminating the smiles of the festival-goers, shimmering like a memory of the riverside region.

The rhythmic drumming of the festival echoed, blending with the joyful laughter and calls of people.

Beyond the rituals, visitors can immerse themselves in the Romvong dance, Khmer food festival, folk games, and the lantern-releasing ceremony. Amidst this atmosphere, the sounds of drums and traditional Khmer musical instruments resound, powerful and rhythmic, seemingly extending the life of this alluvial land.

As the full moon rises, thousands of floating lanterns and shimmering lights are released to drift along the water.

Ghe Ngo - The mascot of Khmer villages

In the spiritual life of the Khmer people, the Ngo boat is a sacred object. Each boat is handcrafted from aged teak wood, painted, and intricately carved with the image of the Naga serpent – ​​a symbol of power and longevity.

In the spiritual life of the Khmer people, the Ngo boat is a sacred animal.

Before launching the boat, the monks and priests perform a ceremony to pray for peace, breathe life into the boat, and pray for favorable weather, safety for the people, and a bountiful harvest.

When the oars are lowered, it's not just a race rhythm, but a prayer harmonizing with the sound of the water, a connection between humanity and nature.

When the oars are lowered, it's not just a race rhythm, but a prayer harmonizing with the sound of the water, a connection between humanity and nature.

The river of heritage continues to flow.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, attending the Ngo boat race festival or the Ok Om Bok moonlit night is like stepping into a realm of emotions connected to land and water – where heritage is not confined to museums, but lives on in everyday life.

Where heritage doesn't reside in museums, but lives on in everyday life.

The sound of drums echoes on the river, moonlight shines on the temple roof, and people's smiles blend together to create the very breath of Southern Vietnam.

Dance of the Moonlight.

The Khmer smile...

...all blend together to form the very essence of Southern Vietnam.

 

Source: https://vtv.vn/ngay-hoi-dua-ghe-ngo-dong-chay-di-san-khmer-nam-bo-qua-bao-the-he-100251113135647716.htm