There is an ancient tradition which was discontinued for 50 years, and restored completely in 2012 by ethnographers and local people. Since then, this festivalis conducted every year.
In June 2015, the festival was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In the Tay language, Na Nhem means ‘soot-smeared face’, so the festival can be understood as a kind of masquerade carnival.
According to Mr Ban Tuan Nang, an expert of the Institute of Development Culture, Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, Na Nhem Festival includes rituals and rites consecrated to the Cao Son Tutelary god, Great King Quy Minh, King Mieu Tinh and King Cao Quyet. It promotes the traditions of nation defense through cultural activities, folk games and shows.
Besides commemorating the kings of the Mac Dynasty, the festival also educates about fighting the aggressors to defend the native land, making a living and about the very human nature of the continuation of life and its improvement.
Early in the morning, the shaman and the elders conduct the sacred opening ceremony at the shrine of King Mieu Tinh. They use a bamboo section to get ‘sacred water’ from a pond nearby and bring it in a procession to the Lang Mo Temple dedicated to the kings and deities.
This story is from the Vietnam Heritage - December 2018 - January 2019 edition of Vietnam Heritage.
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This story is from the Vietnam Heritage - December 2018 - January 2019 edition of Vietnam Heritage.
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