Culture of Hau Dong and Mother Goddess Party in March

When it comes to the worship of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms, many people often think of the ritual of spirit possession or spirit mediumship. However, as many folklore researchers have commented, the “human representative” values ​​of this purely Vietnamese belief are created thanks to a harmonious whole of many elements, including folk festivals, sacrificial rituals, holy feasts, Mother Goddess feasts, people’s religious activities and Chau Van singing, or what we still call Hau Dong. It can be seen that Hau Dong is one of the most unique, outstanding and typical rituals of the Mother Goddess worship.

Cao Huy bronze prepares for new copper price. Photo: NVCC

When practicing the ritual of spirit mediumship, people often place it in the space of a temple, a sacred palace, especially on the occasion of the Mother Goddess feast. The spirit mediums here have a solemn atmosphere and a special harmony between the music, lyrics, singing and incense smoke. It seems that only in that space can the people directly practicing the ritual or the spirit mediums reach the most sublime state to ask, to invite the superiors to witness the hearts and wishes of the incense burners, disciples or those participating in the ritual. Each spirit medium, in essence, aims to convey the human aspiration for peace and happiness, so the incense burners and disciples serving around the spirit medium all wish to have peace with the purest heart.

Bronze statue Cao Huy incarnated in a bronze stand. Photo: NVCC

Bronze medium Cao Huy, who practices the ritual of spirit mediumship at the Mother Goddess Temple of the ninth Sister Song Son in Bim Son, Thanh Hoa, said: “The third lunar month is a special month for us, the month of feasting Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh and some other Saints. Therefore, we often organize spirit mediumship sessions and pilgrimages and worshiping activities at temples and shrines in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa provinces to commemorate the Mother Goddess's merits and pray for good things.” According to bronze medium Cao Huy, every time he practices the spirit mediumship at the Mother Goddess shrines, the sacred meaning seems to increase many times, thereby attracting more people and tourists from all over to come to admire and worship. There are some spirit mediumships and spirit mediums that perform for more than an hour, but people still crowd together to stand and applaud.

People participate in a copper price. Photo: NVCC

Cao Huy bronze bars in a bronze price. Clip: NVCC

Every year in the third lunar month, followers of the Mother Goddess religion will hold a ceremony to commemorate the Mother Goddess, in which the spirit mediumship is considered one of the most important ceremonies. From music, costumes to the performance of the Thanh Dong, everything is carefully prepared to achieve the most sacred and solemn. The spiritual beauty right at the Mother Goddess temples creates a special atmosphere, creating the beauty and unique cultural value of the Vietnamese people.

Thanh Dong Cao Huy also said: "Every time the Mother Goddess feast in March occurs, many people flock to the temple gates, especially when the Mother Goddess shrine has a palanquin, so the palanquins practicing the palanquin ritual at this time further increases the sacredness and spreads the goodness and beauty of the palanquin ritual. People respond and understand the palanquin, making this ritual more permeated in spiritual life, thereby spreading the meaning of praying for peace and happiness in the hearts of the people, helping people live a more virtuous life...".

It can be seen that Hau Dong has a strong Vietnamese cultural identity and has been preserved through many generations. Although at the end of 2016, UNESCO recognized "The practice of the worship of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms of the Vietnamese people" as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, however, recently there has been a situation where many artists, or those with the talent for singing Chau Van, have made Hau Dong a part of their performances on stage, which violates UNESCO's principles on "practicing the worship of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms". According to UNESCO's regulations, the practice of Hau Dong rituals can only be performed at Mother Goddess shrines in temples.

Thanh dong Cao Huy said: “When practicing the ritual of Hau Dong, participants have the opportunity to express their respect, honor, and deep gratitude to the gods. From there, they wish for good things for themselves and those around them… This is also considered a form of education in cultural traditions, history, and morality. However, if practiced in the wrong space and location, it will be counterproductive, at which point Hau Dong will only become a distorted performance.”

A price for a mediumship by Cao Huy. Clip: NVCC

“August is the anniversary of Father’s death, March is the anniversary of Mother’s death” or “August is the feast of Father, March is the feast of Mother”, this proverb has long become a beautiful spiritual culture of Vietnamese people. Therefore, this March, people returning to temples will be immersed in the unique cultural space of the ritual of spirit mediumship.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/van-hoa-hau-dong-va-tiec-mau-thang-3-10294191.html