Ghost offering paper of Mong people in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) – The Mong people in the Western region of Nghe An have the annual custom of making paper for worship. That paper has long been associated with the spiritual life of the Mong people, it is the paper to worship ghosts.

The profession of making worship paper has long been maintained in the Mong community of Nghe An.

Ms. Lau Y Mai, Buoc Mu village (Na Ngoi - Ky Son) explained to us: "Every human being is born with a soul and spirit and needs paper to worship the soul. That is why Mong women, in addition to growing flax and spinning fibers, are also skilled in making worship paper."

The bamboo trees are brought back, washed and boiled thoroughly.

The way the Mong people make worshiping paper is also extremely simple. Ms. Y Mai said that the main material is bamboo, or young giang tree. At that time, the tree is no longer a shoot and has not yet become bamboo. People cut it down, split it into small pieces, remove the outer layer, keep only the core inside, and put it in a large pan. After each layer of bamboo or young bamboo, a layer of ash is spread on top. Then water is poured in and boiled for half a day. When the material is soft, people take it out, wash it, and pound it.

Paper is spread out to dry and used for worship.

To increase the durability of the paper, people also add a kind of forest resin to the pulp and then add water, stirring well. At this point, the original ingredients become a thick solution. Then, scoop that thick liquid and pour it onto the cloth and spread it thinly. After drying in the sun, people can peel off the paper and prepare the next batch. The work continues like this until the owner realizes that the amount of paper is enough to use.

Every year, the Mong people make their own paper and keep it in their families for use.

In the worshiping ceremonies of many clans or on the days of death anniversary, festivals... Mong people must use this kind of paper. According to Mong people's concept, this paper will bring luck to the family when used to worship gods and ancestors. According to Mr. Xong Tong Cho, residing in Buoc Mu village, who is Lau Y Mai's husband, in funerals, Mong people of the Xong family must offer up to 200 bundles of worship paper. The bundles of paper are stacked on top of each other for the deceased to take to heaven to use without having to work to make them again.

New Year or funeral, these pieces of paper are used to pray for peace and to worship the souls of the dead.

The Mong people’s papermaking has existed since ancient times and has become a beautiful part of their cultural tradition. The papers are never written on, never used to wrap things, but are simply used for worship. Every family is the same, they must have paper for Tet, just like the Kinh people must have banh chung to worship.

Dao Tho