(Baonghean.vn) - For the Thai ethnic people, the long tong festival (going down to the fields festival) is an important festival at the beginning of the year, when a new crop season begins. The festival is to thank heaven and earth for blessing the crops, praying for a new year of favorable weather and wind; for all things to grow and flourish; for everyone to be healthy, lucky, and have a prosperous life.
Long Tong festival in Chau Binh, Quy Chau:
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| Chau Binh and Quy Chau fields in the planting season. Photo: Sach Nguyen. |
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When a new crop season begins, people gather in the middle of the field or a large area next to the field to hold a long tong festival to thank heaven and earth for a good harvest, pray for favorable weather and wind in the new year, for all things to grow and flourish, for everyone to be healthy, and for a prosperous and happy life. Photo: Lam Manh. |
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| The festival begins with a ceremony to worship the gods performed by prestigious people in the village. Photo: Lam Manh. |
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| The offering includes a tray of five fruits including candies, fruits, a bottle of white wine, a boiled rooster, a plate of sticky rice, an incense bowl, two cups of wine, a pair of chopsticks, a roll of white cloth woven by Thai women, a plate of betel and areca nuts, a pair of silver bracelets, a bottle of wine (or a jar of wine made by the people themselves). Photo: Sach Nguyen. |
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| People drink rice wine and dance on bamboo poles before performing the ritual of going to the fields. Photo: Lam Manh. |
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| Excited to go to the field. Photo: Sach Nguyen. |
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| Quickly plant rice. Photo: Sach Nguyen. |
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| Bringing mechanization to the fields. Photo: Lam Manh. |
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| Chau Binh field is as beautiful as a painting. Photo: Nguyen Book. |
Nguyen - Lam Manh Books
