Unique procession of the spirit on the 15th day of the first lunar month in Do Luong
Hoai Thu•DNUM_BBZACZCACF 17:21
On the occasion of the full moon of January, families in Do Luong district of Nghe An often organize a procession of spirits. This is one of the worship customs of local people, passed down for many generations.
For hundreds of years, people in some localities in Do Luong district have maintained the custom of carrying the spirit on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This is a ritual to welcome the soul of the deceased from the family's place of worship to the main church of the clan. Photo: HTThe procession is solemnly organized. Each procession must prepare a shrine, or palanquin, to hold incense, flowers and photos of the deceased; flags, drums, gongs and candles. Photo: HTEach person in the procession holds a candle. The candle is lit and kept lit along the way to light the way and guide the deceased to their destination. Photo: HTGongs and drums are beaten regularly according to the prescribed rhythm. Photo: HTA procession of spirits in Quang Son commune. The spirit procession only takes place when the family of the deceased has finished the funeral ceremony, usually after 2 years and 3 months. At the same time, if there is no one in the family who has just passed away and has not finished the funeral, the "spirit" can be brought to worship at the family's communal church. Photo: HTParticipants in the procession are usually the homeowner's children, relatives and neighbors. Photo: HTA palanquin carrying the spirit in Thai Son commune, Do Luong district. Photo: HTThe palanquin designs are quite diverse, decorated solemnly and respectfully. Photo: HTThe procession of the spirit in some localities in Do Luong district shows the concept of "people have ancestors", filial piety and ancestor worship of the people here. Photo: HTHowever, besides expressing the beauty of spiritual culture in the life of the Luong people, some clans still maintain the custom of only carrying the spirit for men, not for women. Some communes organize the procession during the day, some localities organize the procession on the night of the full moon of January. Photo: HT
