Go to Dat Tai to watch the wrestling match.

Every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the people of Dat Tai village, Hoang Ha commune (Hoang Hoa district), excitedly organize the traditional wrestling festival, which is full of joy and good fortune.

The traditional wrestling festival of Dat Tai village takes place on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

The festival consists of both ceremonial and celebratory parts. Specifically, at noon (12 PM) on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the villagers will gather at the Tay temple to report to the village's guardian deity. Afterwards, strong young men will carry the palanquin and the ceremonial float from the Tay temple to Quan Pagoda (now Ben Market).

Before the festival begins, there is a procession carrying the village's tutelary deity's palanquin from the Western temple to the Quán temple (now Bến market).

After the solemn rituals are completed, a lively festival will take place between the hamlets within the village. In this festival, strong, agile, and skillful men will compete in a game of "cù" (a traditional Vietnamese game involving throwing a ball).

The ball is tightly woven, with sand inside and red cloth on the outside.

The ball is sturdily woven, with a sand core inside and wrapped in red cloth. In the center of the wrestling area, a pole made of bamboo or rattan is placed, and a "ball basket"—a basket woven from bamboo or rattan—hangs from the top. When the drums and gongs sound to signal the start of the festival, the ball is tossed high into the air. Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the people, participants leap high, extending their long, strong arms to compete for the ball. Whoever manages to hold onto the ball for the longest time, and then successfully throws it into the basket, scores points. The team that throws the ball into the basket more times wins.

After announcing the rules of the game, the village chief will be the one to distribute the spinning top.

Previously, in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the task of "weaving" the spinning top would be entrusted to an experienced person in the village.

In Dat Tai, although the craft of weaving the spinning top only happens once a year, it is passed down from father to son. Previously, the craft was done by Mr. Le Van Chi, but now Mr. Le Van Thanh – Mr. Le Van Chi's son – has continued his father's work.

Those who participate in the wrestling festival are men with strong physiques and skillful movements.

Participants compete by throwing spinning tops into baskets hanging high above.

According to the elders in the village, the wrestling festival in Dat Tai has a long history. Legend has it that in the old days, there were three lions in the village garden who used to play with a ball, a game called "playing with a ball." From that legend, the people organized the wrestling festival during the Lunar New Year with the meaning of praying for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and successful businesses for the people.

The traditional wrestling festival in Dat Tai village attracts a large number of people to participate and enjoy the festivities.

The team that throws the spinning top into the basket the most times wins.

The traditional wrestling game also demonstrates the spirit of chivalry and the strength of community solidarity. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Kien, head of Dat Tai village, said: “The traditional wrestling festival of Dat Tai village has existed for hundreds of years, maintained and organized by generations of people. On the first day of spring, the wrestling festival takes place not only with spiritual significance, conveying wishes and prayers for good fortune for the villagers; but maintaining the folk game of wrestling also creates a beneficial playground, once again affirming the spirit and strength of solidarity, thereby enabling people to work together to build their homeland and country.”

Khanh Loc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-voi-xu-thanh/ve-dat-tai-xem-hoi-vat-cu/206658.htm