Long Tong (Lồng Tông) festival in Tuyen Quang (Tuyên Quang) province
Long Tong festival is annually held in
Vinh Loc (Vĩnh Lộc) town, Chiem Hoa (Chiêm Hóa) district, Tuyen Quang
province on the 8th lunar January. This is really a festival of
charming cultural traits of Tay (Tày) ethnic group.
Traditionally,
Long Tong festival has a bamboo three-layer shelf made and located in
the middle of a large field. One this shelf, there lay all offerings to
Gods like: Thần Nông (God of Agriculture), Thổ Địa (God of Soil)
praying for good weather, productive crops, peaceful life, good health,
etc.
On this day, at dawn, the shelf
with offerings on is processed to the place where the ritual will take
place. Leading the procession are 7 mighty men with branches in hands
going while swinging their arms with branches. This action is believed
to drive away miasmata and risks. Followed is the group of lion dances
and next priest (the magician-in-chieft of the ritual). Followed are 9
trays of offerings carried on 9 girls' heads. The offering includes
boiled chickens, cakes, rice seeds, corn seeds, peanut seeds, soya
seeds, fruits, and white alcohol. These trays are laid on the Tồng
shelf. The top layer is called "thượng án" - the place to lay the
primary tray of offerings, the second layer is called "Trung án", and
the last layer is called "Hạ án", each layer is laid with four trays
facing the East where Bach Than (Bách Thần) mountain stands imposingly.
The ritual of laying Tồng tray carried
out bay the priest is followed by thanksgiving ritual and praying
ritual of happiness and prosperity. Ritual of rain and ploughing prayer
is a must of Long Tong rituals. Simulation of rice transplantation and
seeding is performed through dances of pupils.
Regarding
activities of this festival, the first and also the most distinctive
activity is "còn" throwing. This is an indispensible activity of Long
Tong festival. Hung on the tree are three circles symbolizing for
Heaven-Earth-Mankind. To the knowledge of local inhabitants, "còn" must
be thrown through these circles. Only by going through these circles
especially by noon, will that year be in good weather conditions and
get productive harvests. There are various activities held during this
festival such as: dragging-on, cooking contest, singing and dancing
contest, etc that attract a lot of participants.