Taboos of highland people on Tet holiday

(Baonghean.vn) - Each ethnic minority in the highlands of Nghe An has its own customs during the traditional New Year. In particular, they have very unique taboos, although not expressed in writing, this has long become an "unwritten rule" for each member of the community.

Although the Mong people's Tet has now merged with the general Tet of the nation, they still cannot forget the customs of this holiday. Each Mong family has its own concept of celebrating Tet, but basically their taboos are the same.

The Mong people's doors are decorated with "Hua Xi" plants during Tet to prevent bad things from entering the house. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Lau Chong Tong in Muong Long 2 village (Muong Long commune - Ky Son) said that during the days of Tet, Mong people must abstain from working and cannot touch knives or machetes. That is why they prepare everything from food to firewood enough to use during the Tet days. Mong people believe that if they work hard in the new year, they will not be happy all year round, so during these days they only eat, drink and have fun.

The "Hua Xi" tree carved into the shape of a knife also has the additional meaning of signaling that strangers are not allowed to enter the house without the homeowner's consent. Photo: Dao Tho

Another taboo that is easily seen when coming to a Mong village is that there is a strange shape in front of the house. When the New Year comes or when they hold a ceremony, they often take a type of wood called "Hua Xi" and make it into a knife symbol and hang it in front of the door to prevent bad things from entering the house. At the same time, this is also a warning image for strangers who are not allowed to enter the house without the owner's permission. To be more careful, many families also make a tree in front of the door or fence to signal.

For the Khmu people, the beginning of Tet, especially Tet Go, is celebrated briefly but no one is allowed to violate the taboos of the new year.

The Khmu people also have their own symbols to avoid during Tet. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Xeo Hoa Tien in Na Be village (Xa Luong commune - Tuong Duong) said: "When Tet comes, well-off families will celebrate it for a day, and poor families can skip it. However, on that day, the Khmu people have to make 7 bamboo panels, string them together and hang them in front of the door. This is a symbol to signal that strangers should not enter the house during Tet without permission."

They weave bamboo sticks into 7 circles and string them together to signal that strangers are not allowed into their homes during Tet. Photo: Dao Tho

In addition, the Khmu people in Nghe An also have a sacred kitchen that they especially respect. All Tet ceremonies take place around this sacred kitchen. The kitchen is located right inside the house, but this is a place where strangers are forbidden to enter, even on normal days.

The sacred kitchen is the place where the Khmu people worship their ancestors. Strangers are not allowed to enter this kitchen during Tet or normal days. Photo: Dao Tho

Thus, it can be seen that the ethnic communities in Western Nghe An have their own unique features during Tet. This is also what creates the richness in the cultural identity of the highlands./.

Dao Tho