Discovering Unique and Lesser-Known Festivals in Ha Giang
Ha Giang, the northernmost province of Vietnam, is not only famous for its majestic landscapes and winding mountain passes but also for its unique cultural features, clearly reflected in its traditional festivals. Besides famous festivals like the Khau Vai Love Market and the Gau Tao Festival, there are still many lesser-known Ha Giang festivals that embody the cultural identity of the ethnic minorities here. Let's explore these 5 special festivals to see a different and attractive side of Ha Giang.
1. Rain Praying Ceremony of the Lo Lo people - A lesser-known Ha Giang festival
The Rain Praying Ceremony is one of the lesser-known Ha Giang festivals, organized by the Lo Lo people in Dong Van and Meo Vac districts around March and April of the lunar calendar every year. This is an important ritual, praying for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. The festival takes place with mystical spiritual rituals, people in traditional costumes dance and pray to the gods for rain. A special feature of the festival is the image of the shaman with prayers in the ancient Lo Lo language, along with dances simulating the act of sowing seeds and praying for rain. Exploring this Ha Giang festival, you will witness a unique cultural feature, imbued with the spirituality of the Lo Lo people.
Highlights of the Rain Praying Ceremony:
- Unique rituals of the shaman.
- Vibrant traditional costumes of the Lo Lo people.
- Rain praying dances imbued with ethnic identity.
2. Wind Avoiding Festival of the Dao people - A unique Ha Giang festival
The Wind Avoiding Festival is a unique Ha Giang festival of the Red Dao people in Yen Minh district. The festival is usually held in July of the lunar calendar, with the purpose of warding off evil spirits and diseases, praying for health and peace for the whole village. During the festival, the Dao people avoid the wind, close their houses, and do not go out to work. The festival has many special rituals such as offering sacrifices to the gods, burning fires to exorcise evil spirits, and dancing to traditional music. Exploring this Ha Giang festival, you will learn more about the spiritual life and beliefs of the Dao people.
Special features of the Wind Avoiding Festival:
- Unique wind avoiding ritual.
- Offering sacrifices to the gods for peace.
- Traditional dances to ward off evil spirits.
3. New Rice Celebration of the Pa Then people - Exploring Ha Giang festivals
The New Rice Celebration is a lesser-known Ha Giang festival, taking place in September and October of the lunar calendar every year in the villages of the Pa Then people. This is an occasion for people to thank heaven and earth for a bountiful harvest and pray for a new year with favorable weather and good crops. During the festival, the Pa Then people offer the first products of the season to the gods, eat, dance, and sing together. Exploring this Ha Giang festival, you will feel the warmth and solidarity of the Pa Then community.
Highlights of the New Rice Celebration:
- Offering the first products of the season.
- Eating, dancing, and singing to celebrate the bountiful harvest.
- Praying for a prosperous and happy new year.
4. Fire Dancing Festival of the Pa Then people - A unique and mysterious Ha Giang festival
Fire Dancing is a unique and mysterious Ha Giang festival of the Pa Then people, held during the Lunar New Year. This is a ritual of exorcism, warding off bad luck, and praying for a peaceful and prosperous new year. The special feature of the festival is the fire dance, when Pa Then men dance barefoot on burning embers without getting burned. Exploring this Ha Giang festival, you will witness a daring and mysterious performance, demonstrating the extraordinary spiritual strength of the Pa Then people.
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The mystery of the Fire Dancing Festival:
- A daring and mysterious fire dance.
- Rituals of exorcism and praying for good luck.
- Demonstrates the spiritual strength of the Pa Then people.
5. Sai San Festival of the Hmong people - Exploring the cultural beauty of Ha Giang
The Sai San Festival is a lesser-known Ha Giang festival of the Hmong people, held in the spring, after the Lunar New Year. This is an occasion for the Hmong people to pray for a bountiful harvest, livestock reproduction, and health and happiness for the whole family. The festival takes place with many unique cultural and artistic activities such as singing duels, playing the khen (a traditional mouth organ), throwing pao (a cloth ball), and playing yen (a traditional game). Exploring this Ha Giang festival, you will immerse yourself in the joyful and bustling atmosphere of the Hmong people.
Highlights of the Sai San Festival:
- Unique cultural and artistic activities.
- Praying for a bountiful harvest and family happiness.
- Experiencing the joyful and bustling atmosphere of the Hmong people.
Above are 5 lesser-known but extremely unique Ha Giang festivals. Come to Ha Giang, explore these festivals to experience the unique cultural features and understand more about the spiritual life of the ethnic minorities here. You will see a Ha Giang that is not only majestic and wild but also extremely attractive with its long-standing traditional cultural values.