Unique custom of going to market on December 25th of Thai people in Nghe An

People in the mountainous district of Nghe An go to the Tet market. Photo: Hung Cuong

Every year, when Tet comes, people all over the country flock to the market to exchange goods and shop for Tet.

With their unique cultural colors, the Thai ethnic people in Nghe An have a separate day to go to the market, which is the 25th of December.

This custom comes from the reality of production and labor life and the special terrain conditions as well as the religious beliefs of people living in the highlands.

According to the agricultural tradition, the Thai people's production year ends on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, and people start celebrating Tet from the 25th day of the 12th lunar month to the 10th day of the 1st lunar month. "This is also the day the mountain god closes the forest gate to return to heaven with the gods. Villagers are not allowed to go into the forest to hunt or collect products. If anyone violates this, they will be punished by the mountain god, encountering disasters and bad luck. Therefore, people mainly shop and gather around the stilt house to prepare for Tet" - said Mr. Vi Tien Phuong, village elder of Phay village, Xieng My commune, Tuong Duong district.

An old man carries goods to the market to sell. Photo: Hung Cuong

According to ancient tradition, the person who goes to the market is usually the oldest woman in the family. They use rattan baskets to carry goods from home or from the forest such as dong leaves, dried bamboo shoots, chickens, young pigs, etc. to the market to sell to get money to buy necessary items such as decorative paintings, salt, rice, new clothes, incense, candy, etc. to prepare for Tet according to their own customs.

In remote areas with difficult transportation, people mainly go to the market on foot or by boat. The travel time can take up to a whole day, so they have to go to the market on the 24th, stay overnight at a relative's house, go to the market on the morning of the 25th, and after shopping, they have to return home the same day according to their own customs.

Nowadays, when trade has reached every corner of the village, along with the appearance of local wholesale markets, the custom of going to the market on the 25th of December is gradually fading away.

Thai people in Western Nghe An not only go to the market on the 25th of December but also on other days. However, most Thai people in Western Nghe An still choose the 25th to go to the market.

Crowded with motorbikes of people going to Muong Xen market (Ky Son) on the 25th day of Tet. Photo: Ho Phuong