Exciting Western Spring Festival and announcement of national heritage of Xang Khan festival

Opening performance of the 2018 Western Spring Festival. Photo: Ho Phuong

Western Spring Colors is an annual cultural activity of the mountainous districts of Nghe An. In 2018, the People's Committee of Nghe An province chose Que Phong district as the host. Other localities participating were Quy Chau, Quy Hop, Nghia Dan and Tuong Duong.

Attending the Western Spring Festival were comrade Pham Dinh Phong - Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrades: Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, leaders of the Department of Culture and Sports, the Provincial Ethnic Minorities Committee, and representatives of localities in the province. Photo: Ho Phuong

Comrade Le Minh Thong delivered the opening speech, expressing pride in the cultural diversity in Western Nghe An, and at the same time wishing that this precious asset would be preserved, promoted, and become increasingly rich and diverse. Photo: Ho Phuong

Comrade Le Minh Thong beats the drum to open the Western Spring Festival. Photo: Huu Vi

At the ceremony, representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented a certificate recognizing the Xang Khan ceremony as a national cultural heritage of the Thai people in Nghe An. This is the second national cultural heritage of the Thai people in Nghe An. Previously, the Nine-chamber Temple ceremony was recognized in 2016.

Many guests and people participated in the 2018 Western Spring Festival. Photo: Huu Vi

Xang khan is a traditional spiritual ritual that usually takes place in spring, organized by shamans in mountainous areas; it is considered a shaman's conferment ceremony that has existed for a long time in the Thai community in the districts of Quy Chau, Que Phong, Quy Hop, Tuong Duong, Nghia Dan and is still maintained by artisans.

On this occasion, the local authorities of the Xang Khan festivals have announced an action plan to preserve and promote the value of the heritage. Accordingly, they will widely disseminate information to the people, thereby preventing social evils related to the ritual; and organize the collection and restoration of other folk rituals.

Excerpt from the Xang Khan ceremony performance of the Thai people in Nghe An. Photo: Ho Phuong