Mysterious procession of gods honored as national intangible cultural heritage
(Baonghean.vn) - The procession of the gods on Lam River is one of the traditional rituals of Thanh Liet Temple Festival, also known as the mussel procession festival (Hung Lam Commune, Hung Nguyen District). The festival is honored as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, attracting many local people and tourists from near and far because of its sacredness and mystery.
 |
| View of Thanh Liet Temple from a flycam perspective. According to legend, the temple was built during the reign of Le Thanh Tong, worshiping Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, Nghia Liet Vuong Nguyen Bieu, Long Vuong, Ba Chua Lieu Hanh, and Doc Cuoc Mountain. The temple has four buildings: the lower palace, the middle palace, the upper palace, and the rear palace. Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| Through the ups and downs of history, many parts of the temple have now been degraded. However, there are still many traces of ancient architecture such as horses and elephants on both sides of the gate; details carved with the four sacred animals and four seasons... Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| This ancient riverside temple is associated with a sacred and mysterious festival, reflecting the consciousness and beliefs of the residents of the river region. That is the mussel procession festival. According to tradition, the festival is carried out through the following steps: worshiping the gods at Thanh Liet temple, the procession of the gods on Lam river, mussel collecting and raking competitions... Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| Those who participate in the worship rituals are all virtuous elders of the village. The worship rituals include the opening ceremony, bathing ceremony, enthronement ceremony, and the announcement ceremony to invite the gods to attend, praying for clear skies and clear clouds. Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| The ceremonial band gathers people who are proficient in music and understand the order of the rituals. This is an important step in the overall activities, signaling the beginning, transition, and end of the rituals, creating a sacred atmosphere, a "bridge" connecting the human mind with the divine realm. Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| After the worshiping ceremony at the temple is the procession on the Lam River. The procession moves from the temple to the river wharf not far away. Along the way, the masters of ceremonies will read prayers, praying for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, etc. Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| The highlight of the procession is the red-lacquered and gilded wooden dragon boat, with vivid carvings and sophisticated techniques. The boat is a symbol of the fishermen of the Lam Giang river region, and is considered by many cultural researchers to be a unique relic remaining in the relics of Nghe An. Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| A procession of hundreds of people walked across the peaceful fields, heading towards the poetic river wharf. The procession of the gods to Lam River included: the Water King, the Heavenly King, Ha Ba, Sat Hai Dai Vuong, Mau Lieu Hanh, Nghi Liet Vuong, Doc Cuoc Dai Vuong... Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
The procession got on the boat, on both sides of the dragon boat there were uniformed guards, holding eight treasures and oars, standing solemnly as guards. There is a folk saying:Taking the Kings across the river/Wishing for luck, mussels, fish, and happiness together... Photo: Trung Ha |
 |
| The procession swam to Thuong Can (Nghia Son village, Hung Long commune) to perform the ceremony, then continued to the river junction where La River (Ha Tinh), met Lam River (Nghe An) and stopped to perform the Ky Yen ceremony. After the ceremonies to invite and worship the gods, the celebrant was possessed by the gods, held incense and bowed to the tray of five fruits, made offerings, then scattered into the river things such as porridge, popcorn, corn, rice, salt, fruits, gold coins and burned the offering (co phung tan). The ceremony prayed for a year of peaceful rivers, a full hold of shrimp and fish, a harmonious and prosperous life. Photo: Trung Ha |
