Cham Towers - Living Heritage in the Flow of Culture

Amidst the sunshine, wind, and white sands of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, invaluable and sacred cultural heritages remain, connected and flowing from the roots of the nation to contemporary cultural life. There, centuries-old inhabitants and temples create a vibrant living space full of color and the unique beliefs of the Cham ethnic community.

Tourists visit the Po Rome Tower in Hau Sanh village, Phuoc Huu commune (Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province).

The Cham ethnic culture in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces is a "living heritage" with diverse forms of cultural heritage preserved through many generations. Particularly noteworthy are the temples and towers, which bear the distinctive cultural characteristics of the Cham people. Along with this, the Cham people are preserving their unique cultural heritage in this region. These strengths can be used to create special products to attract tourists to this area.

In the windy, sandy regions of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, countless historical relics, architectural works, and unique artistic creations of the Cham people still remain. These ancient, magnificent, yet mysterious temples and towers continue to hold a special attraction for many. According to a report by the Department of Culture , Sports and Tourism of Ninh Thuan province, the province has 239 relics included in the inventory, such as Cham towers, revolutionary historical relics, and scenic spots. Of these, 64 cultural heritage sites have been documented and classified at various levels. The province currently has two special national relics: Hoa Lai Tower and Po Klong Garai Tower; 17 national heritage sites, including 12 relics and 5 heritage sites included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Ninh Thuan also has 44 provincial-level relics and 41 other relics such as communal houses, temples, mausoleums, and shrines.

The Po Dam (also known as Po Tam) Cham temple complex on Ong Siem mountain, in Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province, was classified as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument in 1996. (Photo by Nguyen Phong)

Furthermore, throughout Binh Thuan province, there are over 300 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots that are being studied and protected. Among them are 2 intangible cultural heritage sites, 28 national-level classified relics, and 44 provincial-level classified relics. Most of these relics contain outstanding values ​​in architecture, art, history, and culture, and are being preserved and promoted to serve the cultural, spiritual, and religious needs of the people.

Furthermore, throughout the central region of Vietnam, many localities have exploited and utilized ancient Cham temples and relics to promote tourism, bringing in significant revenue. Examples include My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam, Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh, Nhan Tower in Phu Yen, and Ponagar Tower in Khanh Hoa, which have become special destinations on the Central Vietnam Heritage Route.

Cham people display offerings to their ancestors at the Poklong Garai tower (Ninh Thuan).

The social life of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces has been closely linked to temples and towers from ancient times to the present day. For example, the Po Rome temple in Ninh Thuan is a center for cultural and spiritual activities and traditional Cham festivals held annually. Along with the Hoa Lai and Po Klong Garai towers, this temple is known as one of the three most sacred temples in the ancient Panduranga region. Throughout Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, a large Cham community still lives, creating a vibrant and diverse ethnic culture. Furthermore, these temples and towers are known as "living Cham temples," as the Cham community still holds annual ceremonies to worship their deities, just as they did hundreds of years ago. Thanks to the vitality of the Cham community, these temples and towers remain largely intact as they were in the past.

Cham people dancing on the tower (Photo by Phung Ha Trung)

Furthermore, the Cham temples and towers in this region have all, to varying degrees, gained recognition. Since 2010, the Po Klong Giarai tower has been developed into an attractive tourist destination during the Ka Te Festival. In 2016, the Po Klong Giarai and Hoa Lai towers were recognized as Special National Cultural Heritage sites. Similarly, the Po Sah Inư tower in Binh Thuan province is located 7km northeast of Phan Thiet city. For the Cham community, major festivals like the Ka Te Festival have become a crucial cultural highlight, attracting not only Cham people from all over but also many domestic and international tourists. The Katê Festival of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan province was officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/thap-cham-di-san-song-trong-dong-chay-van-hoa-bai-1-1697090506593.htm