The forest worship ritual of the Pa Di people in Lao Cai is a national heritage.

On May 14, 2025, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed and issued Decision No. 1352/QD-BVHTTDL, including the Forest Worship Ritual of the Pa Di people in Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

According to the decision, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and localities with heritage sites are responsible for implementing state management and organizing conservation activities in accordance with legal regulations.

Saw the offering prepared in the forest worship ceremony. Photo: Contributor

The Pa Di people are a small group of the Tay ethnic group living in the highland communes of Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province. Their lives are closely tied to the mountains and forests, so the people here worship the forest gods, tree gods, stream gods... as guardian gods of the village. In particular, the forest worship ceremony is held annually with important significance.

The Pa Di people in Muong Khuong often hold a forest worship ceremony at the end of the first lunar month every year, in the village's forbidden forest with offerings of products grown by the villagers themselves.

The mandatory offerings in the forest worship ceremony are a rooster with a golden beak and golden feet, along with the meat of a female pig, with the meaning of praying for all things to flourish.

The worshiping ritual is divided into two parts: The living sacrifice part is to bring the cleaned animals, offer them to the forest god, and invite him to witness. The second part is to offer cooked food, offering the offerings to invite the forest god to enjoy.

When performing the worship ritual, the shaman will name the offerings and invite the forest god, mountain god, and local god to attend and receive the offerings prepared by the villagers. After the nine offerings are made, votive paper money must be burned at the base of the tree chosen for the worship ceremony.

After the sacred and solemn ceremony comes the festival. Villagers enjoy the offerings, eat a meal together, sing and play folk games right in the forbidden forest.

After the entire ceremony and festival ended, everyone left and for the next 3 days, no one was allowed to enter the forest.

Pa Di people burn incense and pray for a year of favorable weather, health and luck. Photo: Contributor

The forest worship ritual of the Pa Di people is a unique social and religious practice, reflecting the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The ritual not only has spiritual elements but is also an opportunity to unite the community,educate the younger generation about environmental protection and preserving national cultural identity.

Source: https://congluan.vn/nghi-le-cung-rung-cua-nguoi-pa-di-o-la-la-di-san-quoc-gia-10290425.html