Ram Temple and the fishing festival

(Baonghean) - From Ben Thuy (Vinh City), following the rhythm of the oars upstream of Lam River a few kilometers, through the prosperous villages along the river, you will reach a temple hidden under the shade of green trees, that is Ram Temple, a famous architectural relic, associated with the unique folk festival of the people of Hung Nhan Commune, Hung Nguyen District. Ram Temple is located on high ground, up to 10,000m2 wide, surrounded by ancient trees, creating an architectural space that is both lively and ancient and solemn.

Ram Temple Relics

Ram Temple has 2 buildings. The inner temple is built in the shape of the letter Tam, including the Upper Temple, the Middle Temple and the Lower Temple. It worships the Thanh Hoang Thuong Dang Dai Vuong Le Lu (son of Le Lai) who sacrificed himself to save Le Loi in the Lam Son uprising. The outer temple is built in the shape of the letter Nhi, worshiping Nguyen Quang Hop, a local. The two-sided temple gate is made up of two fang pillars, each 5m high and 0.60m wide, consisting of many components such as pedestal legs, pillar bodies, crowns, etc. connected vertically.

The temples are elaborately carved with many meticulous details and rich themes associated with the folk activities of a river village such as fish jumping over the dragon gate, carp transforming into a dragon, two dragons worshipping the moon, mai turning into a dragon and a unicorn, the mandarin returning home to pay respect to his ancestors, plowing and farming, catching fish and catching worms on the Lam River, fishing… All the carvings are wonderful works of art; the stories have been carved by artisans on wood with fluent, sophisticated lines, vividly depicting the daily life of a river village, of which the most typical is the scene of the fishing festival.

According to the elders, Do Nha village (Hung Nhan commune) used to be a fishing village on Lam river (called floating village), going fishing up and down the river every day. Every 3 years at the beginning of January, the villagers hold a fishing festival hoping for favorable weather, calm seas, and catching lots of fish and shrimp. The fishing festival has 2 processions: the first procession from the inner Ram temple and the second procession from the outer Ram temple. Both processions depart at the same time, taking turns gathering at Do Nha village communal house. The palanquins are placed on a red-lacquered dragon pole with gold leaf and are decorated with splendid colored fabrics. Each palanquin has a majestic and solemn golden parasol. The three-wheeled Bat Cong palanquin is carried by 8 people, the Long Dinh palanquin is carried by 4 people. The palanquin bearers must be strong village men, not in mourning, wearing colored clothes, a tight belt, a crow-beak scarf on their heads, and white shoes on their feet. Following the palanquin was a group of soldiers holding wooden weapons painted in red and gold. Following them was a folk music group, playing melodious folk music as they walked. Next was a group of gongs and drums to keep the rhythm for the procession. Finally, there were people of all ages, from the elders to the young men and women, teenagers and children. When the procession arrived at the communal house, they were all welcomed with a series of loud firecrackers, mixed with the resounding sound of gongs and drums, making the atmosphere of the first days of spring more exciting and heart-warming.

Before the ceremony, the village organized a boat to the middle of Lam River to pay homage to the water god. The boat was cleaned, on the boat there was a 3-tiered altar, a tray of tea, offerings of fruits, yellow incense, and a flag of the main god in various colors, green, red, purple, and yellow, covered by a golden parasol. The monk reading the prayer wore a loose-fitting long dress, white pants, and a turban on his head.

When the boat finished paying respect to the water god, rowed back to the communal house, the ceremony began. The offering tray was in the East, the shaman sat in the West, with offerings of incense, betel and wine. The village officials stood in order of rank and position from high to low, dressed in neat robes and hats. After three gong and drum beats, the musicians played the opening act. The ceremony took place in a solemn and respectful atmosphere. After the usual rituals, the funeral oration for the Fish God was read. Next was the ceremony of lowering the boat: The young fishermen gathered on both sides of the boat, pushed the boat down the river and sang:

''This boat sails low and the bow is high.

Go out with lots of fish, come in with peace.

The boat returned with a full hold of fish.

Hitting the upper area is also fine.

Hit the lower area a lot too

If you have the chance, please change your mind.

I hope the River God will show his protection...''

After the fishing ceremony, the boat race on the river and the rowing game in front of the village communal house yard also began. As many boats were competing on the river, so many teams were competing in the rowing game in the communal house yard. There were usually 8 teams from 8 groups. Each team had a rowing boat and a rowing team. The rowing team consisted of 10 men and 10 women, all unmarried and beautiful. The village communal house was bustling with cheers, on the river and on the wharf, flags were fluttering, and everyone's face was radiant like flowers. On the race track, gongs were urged, flags were waved, and the boatmen were leading the boat. On both sides of the river, villagers stood to watch, cheering with flags, umbrellas, and their cheers echoed throughout the river.

After the boat racing and rowing competition, we sang and responded to each other with music all night long.

“Come here and ask her,

Young bamboo has enough leaves to weave a bed?

Answering and asking, asking and answering, just like that, human love is intertwined, not wanting to end...

Tran Huu Duc

(Vinh City)