Cua Rao Temple Festival in the Spring of the Year of the Ox (2019)
(Baonghean)This year's Cua Rao Temple Festival attracted over 7,000 attendees, including visitors from Tuong Duong district, Xieng Khouang (Laos), Ky Son, Con Cuong, and other areas.
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The Temple Hill (Cua Rao, Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province) was formerly part of Xieng Xung land, the political, economic, and cultural center of Muong Xung. Archaeologists have discovered many artifacts from the Phung Hung culture at the Temple Hill.
The exact date of the construction of Cua Rao Temple and its worshippers are unknown, but every year during the Lunar New Year, people in the area come here to offer prayers to Buddha, asking for favorable weather, abundant harvests, good health, prosperity, and peace for the nation.
During the war, Cua Rao Temple was destroyed, but was later restored by the people of Cua Rao. Recently, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong District allocated funds for the restoration and upgrading of the temple and entrusted its management to Xa Luong Commune. In 2008 and 2009, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong District provided financial support to the people of Xa Luong to organize a festival to gain experience.
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This year's Cua Rao Temple Festival was noteworthy in many aspects, both in terms of the number of visitors and the quality of participation, leaving a positive impression on the local people. This year, over 7,000 people attended the festival, including visitors from Tuong Duong district, Xieng Khouang province (Lao People's Democratic Republic), Ky Son district, Con Cuong district, etc. The People's Committee of Xa Luong commune incorporated many activities into the festival, such as camping competitions, cultural exchanges, and performances showcasing the unique ethnic traditions of the residents of Tuong Duong district, as well as traditional folk games like swinging, tug-of-war, stick pushing, throwing the "con" (a type of ball), boat racing, and crossbow shooting.
Certainly, with the experience gained from organizing festivals at the commune level for two years, from 2010 onwards, Tuong Duong district will have more experience when the district organizes festivals on a district-wide scale.
Text and photos: Vi Hoi
