On February 8 (January 11), at Sai Temple (Dong Anh, Hanoi ), the only unique "living king and lord" procession in the country took place. The king and lord frowned as they sat on the palanquin.
“Living king and lord” grimaces while sitting on palanquin at Sai temple festival
Saturday, February 8, 2025 17:52 PM (GMT+7)
On February 8 (January 11), at Sai Temple (Dong Anh, Hanoi), the only unique "living king and lord" procession in the country took place. The king and lord grimaced as they sat on the palanquin.
Every year, on the 11th day of the first lunar month, the people of Thuy Loi village in particular and Thuy Lam commune in general solemnly organize the Sai temple festival, with the ritual of welcoming "living kings and lords" in real people and the extremely unique ritual of cutting the spirit of a white chicken.
The "living king and lord" was scared and grimaced as he sat on the palanquin.
The festival originated from the time when An Duong Vuong built Co Loa citadel, with fairies coming down to earth every night to help carry soil to build it, but the rooster ghost imitated the sound of a rooster crowing in the morning, causing the fairies to give up and fly back to heaven, so the citadel was never completed.
Thanks to the help of the god Huyen Thien Tran Vu who destroyed the white chicken ghost hiding in That Dieu Son, the Thuc king was able to complete the construction of Co Loa citadel. This year, the lord was played by Mr. Chuong Dang Cuong (72 years old).
The ritual of killing a chicken with a wooden sword and a fake bowl of blood attracted a large crowd of spectators in the backyard of the Upper Temple. Legend has it that the white chicken ghost hiding at the foot of That Dieu Son mountain was destroyed by the god Huyen Thien Tran Vu, so the Thuc king was able to complete the construction of Co Loa citadel.
Many kings and lords of later generations came here to pay their respects, but seeing that traveling was a waste of money and effort of the people, the king issued an edict for the villagers to perform a ceremony to welcome the fake king and lord.
During the procession, the king's palanquin was carried by a row of 12 strong young men, taking turns carrying it. Every 5 minutes, there was a ritual of turning and running the palanquin. Each time, the king, sitting on high, brandished his sword to show his power.
The honored person chosen by the villagers to play the role of king is Mr. Nguyen Huu Ba (74 years old), a prestigious elder in the village, with an exemplary, cultured family and happy, harmonious children and grandchildren.
On the way to the ceremony, the king and lord will give out lucky money and toss money as a way to bestow fortune on the people and festival participants.
People standing on both sides of the road wished that the blessings of the lord and king would bring peace to everyone.
Before each procession, there is also a team of young soldiers, the grandchildren of the elders, as well as dancers performing graceful and eye-catching dances.
Besides the king and lord, people also carry palanquins carrying the four mandarins of the Royal Guard, the Minister of Justice, the Governor and the Governor, along with their wives and children. People over 60 years old are chosen to play this role.
Sai Temple Festival with the ritual of carrying "living king, living lord" wishing for a new year of wealth, success, peace and happiness, is likened to an encyclopedic museum of the rich cultural and spiritual life of the people of Thuy Loi village, Thuy Lam commune in particular and Dong Anh people in general.
The festival attracts thousands of people, creating excitement for the first days of the new year.
After the worship ceremony, the "living king, living lord" will be carried on a palanquin to the field of worship. The king will pay homage to Duc Thanh Huyen Thien at Sai temple, then return to the communal house with the mandarins.
Confucius
Source: https://danviet.vn/vua-chua-song-nhan-mat-khi-ngo-tren-kieu-ruoc-tai-le-hoi-den-sai-20250208163835147.htm
Comment (0)