Strange custom in Quang Binh, in the spring, young men and women gather to break the drum face, then go into the forest together for what?

This is a strange custom in a place in Quang Binh . When night falls on the mountainous area of Thuong Trach (Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province), a sound echoes in the middle of the forest like an invitation to the gods. It is the rapid drumbeat of the Ma Coong people - a minority with a mysterious drum beating festival, hundreds of years old.

From the sound of drums to keep monkeys from destroying crops to village songs

Every year, on the evening of the 16th day of the first lunar month, the Ma Coong people hold the Drum Beating Festival. The sound of the drums echoing through the forest is not only the sound of the ritual, but also represents the spirit of solidarity and strength of the Ma Coong people (belonging to the Bru - Van Kieu ethnic group).

Clip: Ma Coong men and women in Thuong Trach commune (Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province) gather to smash the drum face

Mr. Dinh Hop (in Ca Roong 1 village, Thuong Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province) said: "We Ma Coong people often tell each other the story that in the past, this land was once destroyed by a group of monkeys, causing famine and making the villagers live in fear.

To call for help from the gods, the village elder held a ceremony and beat drums all night long. Miraculously, when the drums sounded, the wild beast ran away and never returned.

Since then, the Drum Beating Festival was born as an important ritual to pray for peace and protect people's lives.

Quảng Bình: Trai, gái xúm vào đập thủng mặt trống rồi dắt nhau vào rừng — On the morning of the 16th day of the first lunar month, the Ma Coong people in Thuong Trach commune (Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province) made a drum from buffalo skin.

Nowadays, on the occasion of the full moon of January, when the full moon illuminates the mountains and forests, before beating the drums, the Ma Coong people hold a ceremony with rice wine, sticky rice, and fish... When the ceremony ends, the villagers officially enter the fun.

A large drum was placed in the center of the open space, surrounded by hundreds of cheering people. Young men took turns using wooden mallets to hit the drum hard. The special thing was that the drum only stopped ringing when it was smashed to pieces!

The Ma Coong believe that the farther the drum beats, the luckier the year will be. Therefore, everyone tries to beat the drum as hard as possible to break it as quickly as possible. When the drum breaks, the festival moves on to the festive part with traditional dances, songs and a grand feast that lasts until morning.

A unique "love affair"

The Drum Festival is not only an occasion to pray for peace but also a festival of love. In the bustling atmosphere, Ma Coong boys and girls freely get to know each other. If a couple likes each other, they can freely take each other into the forest to talk all night long.

If they are still together the next morning, the village elder will witness and recognize them as husband and wife without the need for a dowry.

This custom not only shows the generosity of the Ma Coong people but is also a way for young couples to find their own destiny according to their wishes.

Mr. Do Manh Tai - Secretary of the Party Committee of Thuong Trach Commune (Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province), shared: "Today, the Drum Beating Festival is not only a ritual of the Ma Coong people but also a unique cultural feature that attracts tourists. However, with the development of modern society, many customs are gradually fading away. Local authorities and cultural researchers are making efforts to preserve and promote the festival to protect national identity".

Source: https://danviet.vn/tuc-la-quang-binh-tiet-xuan-lai-rai-trai-gai-xum-vao-dap-thung-mat-trong-dat-nhau-vo-rung-lam-gi-20250214083912442.htm