The Mong people of Nghe An 'go to heaven' to have a party during the 'giang' worship ceremony
(Baonghean.vn) - In the "giang" worship ceremony, also known as the family worship ceremony of the Va family, people believe that they can "go to heaven" to have a party and return through 3 spiritual gates.
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| Each Mong clan in the mountainous region of Nghe An has its own custom. The Va clan in Tham Hin village, Nam Can commune, Ky Son district is the same. They hold the "giang" worship ceremony at the end of the sixth lunar month. Other clans also have this custom, but it is usually held at different times and in different ways. |
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| In the morning before the ceremony, the men in the family gather together to make exorcism knives from wood and cogon grass fibers. |
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| "This is the most important thing of the holiday. It will prevent evil spirits from entering our house," Mr. Va Xenh Lu explained to reporters. |
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| After the ceremony, these chains of knives will be hung in front of the house. "The number of men and boys in the house will be the same," one of the relatives explained. |
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| For the Va clan, the goat is an animal to be offered to the gods and it must be a healthy, white goat. This goat must be carefully selected. If there is no suitable goat in the village, it must be bought from another place. According to the concept, this is the way to please the gods. |
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| The offering was the most thrilling part of the ceremony. The shaman seemed to be in a trance during the ceremony. He offered and danced nonstop for four hours to the loud sound of gongs. |
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| The forest feast was the most exciting part of the festival. People went to a clearing in the forest near the village and held a feast. Everyone had to come there to eat and drink and meet each other. |
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| The three gates built along the way are the most unique feature of the festival. Everyone who comes to the party and returns to the village must pass through these gates. It is believed that the three gates are the entrance to another world. If they do not pass through them when returning, their souls will be lost in heaven. |
| Video of the "giang" worship ceremony of the Mong people of the Va family in Nghe An. |
