Bustling Independence Day in the highlands

(Baonghean) - "The second day of Tet is coming soon", "In a few days it will be Independence Day!...". These are the catchphrases of children in the highlands with excitement. Not only children, but also adults in the highlands of Nghe An are in a bustling mood to welcome the country's National Day (September 2).

Since the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to a new Vietnam, a spiritual and cultural activity has gradually become a part of the identity of the people in the highlands. That is Independence Day. This holiday is usually the time when the farmers are idle. The upland rice and paddy fields have been weeded and are in the tillering stage. It will be about 2 months before the rice harvest season.

Highland festival. Photo: Trong Sach

For the Thai community in Western Nghe An, Independence Day is a great occasion of joy. On this day, the ceremony is not important. Many families only slaughter chickens to celebrate but do not worship their ancestors. Some families only place a tray on the ancestral altar to "report" on the special event in the house and then start the fun. However, Independence Day is also an occasion for relatives to sit together and share a meal. From there, the close relationship between relatives and villages is further strengthened.

Independence Day is usually prepared simply. Families with good economic conditions can slaughter a small pig to treat relatives with a jar of rice wine. Most families only slaughter 1 or 2 chickens for family members to gather and enjoy together. After the Tet meal, people only rest and party for a morning before returning to their daily work. Even though it is just a small party, the sacred atmosphere of Independence Day still reminds people of...

I don’t know why, but on the morning of Independence Day, the weather is usually cool with a bit of chilly autumn wind. Lighting incense on the ancestral altar suddenly feels sacred and light. It is a special atmosphere that makes Independence Day a good mark of the year. After this ceremony, there are other autumn festivals of the upland rice farmers. These are the upland worship ceremony and the new rice celebration.

The Thai people in Que Phong have a very lively tradition of celebrating Independence Day. On this occasion, the villagers often contribute rice wine to celebrate together. The festival atmosphere really appears when the gongs and drums are played and the graceful xoe dances seem to want to attract visitors.

Bull fighting on Independence Day organized by Mong people in Son Ha village (Ta Ca commune, Ky Son). Photo: Ho Phuong

The Khmu are a large community in the mountainous district of Ky Son. Since independence, this community has also celebrated National Day. The Khmu also call it Independence Day. People simply sit together around a jar of rice wine to enjoy the moment of commemorating the day the country was freed from the shackles of slavery of feudalism and colonialism.

Independence Day is also the time when the weeding season ends. The Mong people in the mountainous districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, and Que Phong celebrate their Independence Day. Similar to the Thai and Kho Mu people, Independence Day is mainly a happy occasion and not heavily ritualized.

In some Mong villages in Ky Son district, on Independence Day, people contribute money to buy cows to celebrate together. Families with better economic conditions contribute more than those with poor conditions. Regardless of how much they contribute, Independence Day is still a complete joy for the whole community. From early morning, people get up to slaughter cows to prepare for the whole village's party.

During the celebration, people invited each other to have a glass of corn wine, boiled beef, and somewhere a song resounded beside the feast. On the slope in front of the house, on small flat lands, young girls in traditional costumes with colorful colors held a pao throwing festival. The celebration only lasted for one day, not lasting for half a month like the Lunar New Year.

However, the Independence Day cannot be without bullfights. This has become a tradition during the festival of the Mong community.

Enjoy cockfighting festival. Photo: Trong Sach

Nowadays, on the occasion of Independence Day, Mong men also invite each other to Moc Chau (Son La), or Dien Bien, Lai Chau to "catch" wives. It is called "catch", but in reality, these are trips to find a life partner. If the results are good, at the end of the year, during the rice season, there will be weddings taking place in a joyful atmosphere and the winter days in the highlands will be warmer.

You Wei