Exploring our land

Gau Tao, a festival in the clouds

Gau tao is a traditional new year’s festival of the Mong in the cloudy mountain commune of San Sa Ho, Sapa, Lao Cai province. The festival, held in the first lunar month, is a big ceremony in Hoang Lien Son mountain region to pray for peace and prosperity. 
The festival originated from an old custom of the Mong in Sapa. When a couple couldn’t have a child after years of marriage, the husband climbed up a hill, making offerings to the god of the mountain and begging for his support to have a child. After the couple gave birth to a child, they invited relatives and villagers to a big ceremony to thank the god for his support. This ceremony was held again by the family every three or five years. The ceremony gradually became a community festival held annually to pray for peace, prosperity, and good luck for the whole village.


Mong people in Hoang Lien Son at the Gau Tao festival. Photo: Trong Chinh 


Gau Tao is held on a terraced field after the harvest in San Sa Ho commune. Photo: Tran Hieu


The's ritual offerings include a horn, which will be blown to invite the gods of the mountain and forest to the festival,
and a bunch of rice, which symbolizes the hopes for a year of prosperity. Photo: Tat Son

 

Childen love the festival very much. Photo: Viet Cuong


. Mong children perform an umbrella dance at the Gau Tao festival. Photo: Trong Chinh 


Traditional art performances at the festival. Photo: Trang Linh
 

 
Mong children play the game of walking on a bamboo branch. Photo: Tran Hieu 


Children’s game: Climbing a bamboo pole. Photo: Thong Thien 

The festival includes many outdoor activities, including crossbow shooting, top playing, stick dancing, wrestling and gau plenh (love song) singing. At night, young people join responsive singing to show love for their girlfriends or boyfriends.
 
By the Golden Moment Photography Club


 

The Tu Cai Ceremony of the Dao Dau Bang

The Tu Cai Ceremony of the Dao Dau Bang

The Tu Cai ceremony, also known as Le cap sac, for the Dao Dau Bang in Ho Thau Commune, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province, is typically organized in the last months of the year. This ritual holds special significance in the life of every Dao man.

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