The Tay Celebrate the Nang Hai Festival
Located in Northern Vietnam, Cao Bang is well-known as a region that preserves numerous unique cultural values of ethnic minority communities. Among them, the Nang hai Festival in Tien Thanh Commune, Cao Bang Province stands out prominently as it embodies the distinctive cultural characteristics of the Tay as well as expresses gratitude and reverence towards nature and prays for a bountiful harvest season.
According to the folklore of the Tay, there is Mother Moon and fairies residing on the moon. Every year, Mother Moon and her fairies take care of and protect the crops for the people. The Nang Hai Festival is organized symbolically to depict the journey of ascending to the sky to welcome Mother Moon and her fairies back to the earthly festivities. This is believed to assist the villagers in their livelihoods and agricultural activities, ensuring favorable weather and a prosperous harvest season. Based on this belief, every even year on March 22 of the lunar calendar, the locals organize the Nang Hai Festival.
The festival spans several days with various rituals and offerings. These rituals are conducted with great care and solemnity. Particularly, the harmonious and delicate blend of traditional Tay songs and melodies with their customary dances infuse a profoundly enchanting atmosphere into most of the spiritual activities.
There are many fan dances performed during the Nang Hai Festival. Each style of fan dance has its own unique features, but they all share a common thing that the dancers must walk three circles around the ceremonial area. Though the dance may seem simple, it carries a profound expression that evokes images of celestial fairies with wings from fairy tales for the viewers.
To organize the festival, it requires the concerted effort and unity of the entire Tay community in Tien Thanh. This event serves as an opportunity for people to come together, interact, and foster closer bonds through socializing and cultural exchange.
The Nang Hai Festival is an integral part of the Tay culture in Tien Thanh and serves as a prominent highlight in the cultural heritage of Cao Bang Province. The combination of traditional rituals, art, and communal spirit has created a unique and meaningful event that captures the attention and affection of the community. With its unique and distinctive values, the Nang Hai Festival was honored to be recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam in 2017.
By Viet Cuong/VNP Translated by Nguyen Tuoi