Village culture in modern life

In the process of urbanization of modern life, preserving the village communal house culture is of great significance. It is not only an activity to unite the community but also demonstrates the intersection between traditional and modern culture.

The boat racing competition is held during the annual festival of Binh Thuy communal house to unite the community. Photo: MY LINH

Imprints of communal houses

An Giang has many communal houses with unique cultural festivals. Historically, the communal houses in the province are not only places for people to practice their beliefs but also evidence of the heroic periods of the nation's struggle for independence.

A typical example is the Binh Thuy communal house relic, located in Binh My commune, which is an architectural work of cultural and historical value, associated with the process of reclaiming land and establishing a village on the ancient Nang Gu island. According to the Binh Thuy communal house's Board of Trustees, the communal house was ranked as a provincial-level architectural and artistic relic by the Provincial People's Committee under Decision No. 286/QD-UB, dated February 18, 2000.

Binh Thuy Communal House worships the local tutelary god and the ancestor Duong Van Hoa - who had the merit of opening up and gathering the people on this land in the past. Currently, Binh Thuy Communal House regularly performs solemn worship rituals throughout the year, such as: the death anniversary ceremony, the Ky Yen festival and the Lap Mieu ceremony. In particular, the Ky Yen festival (taking place from the 9th to the 11th of the 5th lunar month) is an occasion for villagers to worship the local tutelary god, the Than Nong, the Than Xa Tac, praying for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and a prosperous people and strong country. On the Ky Yen festival, there is also a ceremony to worship the ancestors, the descendants and the elders in the village to educate the next generation about the tradition of remembering the source of drinking water.

Moving along Highway 91 towards Chau Doc, My Duc communal house located in My Duc commune has an ancient appearance of more than 200 years old. This is a place associated with the revolutionary events of the army and people of the old Chau Phu district in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism. This place used to be the gathering place of thousands of patriotic people who gathered in Chau Doc to seize power during the August Revolution in 1945. This was also the place where the first National Assembly election was held in the locality on January 6, 1946.

During the resistance war against the US to save the country, My Duc communal house was a place where revolutionary cadres took refuge, preparing for the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of Mau Than in 1968. During the years of the Southwestern border war, My Duc communal house was the location of the frontline medical team of Military Region 9 to provide medical aid to soldiers brought back from the battlefield. Because it is a place closely associated with the process of national liberation struggle in the locality, My Duc communal house was recognized by the People's Committee of An Giang province as a provincial-level historical and architectural relic of revolution and art in 2004.

Through the ups and downs of history, the century-old communal houses in An Giang not only have architectural value, but are also places to preserve cultural values and connect the community. This is a place for communal religious activities and has become an indispensable part of people's lives for many generations.

Village festival unites the community

Every year, from mid-March to May (lunar calendar), communal houses in the province simultaneously organize the Ky Yen festival to express their faith and hope for a peaceful, prosperous life and a bountiful harvest. One of the most anticipated communal house activities in the province is the festival at Binh Thuy communal house, which takes place from the 9th to the 11th of the 5th lunar month.

Among the three major ceremonies of Binh Thuy communal house, the Ky Yen festival and the Lap Mieu festival attract a large number of people to participate. In particular, the Ky Yen festival has created a unique community cultural space over the years, an activity that plays an important role in the spiritual life of the people here. The Ky Yen festival of Binh Thuy communal house has rituals and festivals that are closely related to the spiritual and cultural life of the people living in the river area.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung, a resident of Binh My commune, shared: “Local people look forward to the annual festival at Binh Thuy communal house. This is an opportunity for everyone to pray for a year of favorable weather, a peaceful life and comfortable entertainment after days of hard work.”

As a person from another province who has come to enjoy the festival at Binh Thuy communal house many times, Mr. Le Van Toan, a resident of Can Tho City, said: “Since I learned about the festival at Binh Thuy communal house, I have come to play every year. The attraction of the festival here is the exciting boat racing, along with the impressive costumes of the local people cheering on the festival.”

Village festivals such as Binh Thuy Communal House, Binh My Communal House, located in Binh My Commune; My Phuoc Communal House, located in Long Xuyen Ward; My Duc Communal House, etc. are timeless beliefs. In modern life, these festivals have become events that attract visitors, contribute to promoting culture, and are an opportunity for people far from home to return.

During the festival, the communal houses today all retain the rituals that are almost original to the old communal house worship rituals, and the people respond by setting up an altar to worship the gods on the way the procession passes by. The festival part has been renewed to meet the entertainment needs of the people but still retains its identity through folk games such as chess, volleyball, duck catching on the river, tug of war, and local history competitions.

Whether in urban or rural areas, spiritual beliefs always hold an important position in people's spiritual lives. Therefore, village festivals with important rituals are preserved by people, not only to show respect to ancestors, but also to preserve traditional customs and practices to always "live" with the times.

MY LINH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/van-hoa-dinh-lang-trong-doi-song-hien-dai-a426365.html