Many clans in Nghe An reduce the scale of ancestral worship to prevent and fight the Covid-19 epidemic

Do not be negligent in disease prevention and control

The Nguyen Van family is a large family in the area of ​​Nam Son and Dang Son communes (Do Luong), including 1 main temple and 12 sub-temple temples. According to annual tradition, on the occasion of the Lantern Festival, the Family Council organizes ancestral worship, and descendants of the branches prepare offerings at thechurchThe great god is worshiped, after the ancestral worship ceremony, the offerings are brought to the ancestral shrines of the small branches so that the descendants can happily gather together.

The Nguyen Van clan council in Nam Son commune (Do Luong) informed the branches and descendants not to hold grand ceremonies at the main temple to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Cong Khang

But this year, the Nguyen Van Family Council agreed not to hold a grand ceremony at the main temple and the temples of the sub-branches to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dong - Chairman of the Boardfamilysaid: “After careful discussion, we came to an agreement that this year, each branch in the family will prepare only one tray of sticky rice and chicken to bring to the main temple for the ceremony. Then, it will be brought back to the temples of the sub-branches for the descendants to enjoy. The number of participants is limited, following the directive not to gather in large numbers to prevent the spread of the epidemic. This is specified in the document sent to the branches.”

According to the original plan, on this occasion, the descendants of the Nguyen Van family will organize a ceremony to receive the Certificate of recognition of the historical relic of the Dai Ton church, but due to the complicated epidemic, the ceremony will be held on a more suitable occasion. Photo: Cong Khang

Implementing the plan of the Clan Council, the sub-branches and descendants of the Nguyen Van clan in the two communes of Nam Son and Dang Son have strictly complied, especially limiting gatherings to offer incense and make offerings at the main temple to prevent and control the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Descendants of the Nguyen Trong family in Dien Hoa commune (Dien Chau) only go to the church to offer incense to commemorate their ancestors, and do not organize meals. Photo: Nguyen Book

In particular, according to Mr. Nguyen Van Hong - Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Nam Son commune, in 2020, the Nguyen Van family's ancestral temple was recognized as a historical relic by the Provincial People's Committee. The clan council and descendants in the clan agreed to organize the procession on the occasion of the Lantern Festival, but due to the complicated developments of the epidemic, it was postponed until it was held at a suitable time.

“This year’s ancestor worship ceremony is small in scale, but next year after the pandemic is over, it will be held on a larger scale. The ceremony to receive the Certificate of Recognition of Historical Relics has not been held at this time and can be held at another time. However, disease prevention and control cannot be neglected and must be strictly implemented,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Hong.

The Nguyen Trong clan in Dien Hoa commune (Dien Chau) has reduced the scale of the ancestor worship ceremony to prevent the epidemic. Photo: Nguyen Sach

Like the Nguyen Van family in Do Luong,familyNguyen Trong in Dien Hoa commune (Dien Chau) has decided to shorten the Ky Yen ceremony on the occasion of the Full Moon Festival of January to respond to the policy of joining hands with society to prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19. Accordingly, on the night of January 14 and the morning of January 15, the Clan Council will only hold a ceremony to offer lights and fruits at the ancestral shrine for descendants to come and offer incense in memory.

After offering incense, children and grandchildren return home, do not organize meals at the church, everyone is advised not to gather in large numbers in the church grounds, people from other provinces should not come to attend the ceremony on this occasion to contribute to ensuring safety during the ceremony.epidemic season.

Strictly implement the "5K" recommendation

During the ancestor worship ceremony on the 15th day of the first lunar month this year, many families in Nghe An have strictly implemented the regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control of the Prime Minister, authorities at all levels and the health sector. That is, reducing the scale and cutting down some rituals to limit large gatherings, wearing masks and disinfecting.

The Tran Duc family in Yen Son commune (Do Luong) hangs a sign reminding their descendants to follow recommendations on Covid-19 prevention and control. Photo: Tran Tuan Thi

A typical example is the Tran Duc family in Yen Son commune (Do Luong), whose ancestor worship ceremony this year was shortened in many steps, conducted quickly, and the number of attendees was reduced by more than 50% compared to previous years. In particular, hand sanitizer was provided at the entrance of the main temple.sanitizeaccompanied by a sign reminding and recommending epidemic prevention measures for people attending the ceremony.

All members of the Family Council and the descendants attending the ceremony wore masks throughout the ceremony, including those performing the ceremony and playing the drums and gongs. Everyone present strictly followed the distance regulations, did not sit close together, and limited conversation. The children were allowed to stay at home by their grandparents and parents and did not attend the ceremony at the church.

The scale and ritual of ancestor worship were shortened by the Tran Duc family in Yen Son commune (Do Luong). Photo: Tran Tuan Thi

The Nguyen Dinh clan in Nghi Loc district, with 15 branches, also decided not to let their descendants attend the ancestral worship ceremony at the main temple, the ceremony will only be carried out by members of the Standing Committee of the Clan Council. The branches also advised their children living far away not to come back this year to offer incense and make offerings to ensure safety and contribute to preventing the spread of the disease.Covid-19 epidemic.

In addition, the Tran Duc clan in Yen Son commune (Do Luong) also implemented regulations on wearing masks and keeping distance during the ceremony to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Tran Tuan Thi

Thus, in the context of the complicated and truly unpredictable developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, Nghe An people have been actively responding to the work of disease prevention and control. In particular, reducing the scale and rituals, limiting large gatherings and wearing masks during the ancestral worship ceremony on the 15th day of the first lunar month shows awareness of disease prevention, protecting public health, and joining hands with the whole country to repel the epidemic./.