About the Thai people's custom of "keeping the fire" during Tet

(Baonghean.vn) -Like other ethnic groups in Vietnam, Tet Nguyen Dan is awaited by everyone throughout the year, so every family eagerly awaits the arrival of Tet. During Tet, the unique cultural features of each ethnic group are expressed, and the Thai people are no exception. They have many unique cultural features during Tet, including the custom of “keeping the fire”.

On the 30th of Tet, every Thai family gathers firewood to light a fire. The firewood must be large, strong, straight, and have red embers to keep the fire going. Late at night, the woman in the family must bury the ashes overnight on the 30th, and wake up early in the morning to stir up the ashes, while the embers are still red.

In Thai belief, the family that can keep the embers burning means that in the new year, that family will be able to do business successfully and happily. Thai people believe that if the fire goes out on the 30th night, the family will not be happy in the new year.bad luck. That's whyThe Thai ethnic group in the mountainous district of Con Cuong has for generations maintained the custom of keeping the fire burning on New Year's Eve.

No matter how busy they are, at the end of the year, young men all go to the forest to collect dry firewood to bring home. They have to choose large, straight and sturdy pieces of firewood to cook banh chung, to cook dishes to welcome relatives, especially firewood to keep the fire burning on the 30th night, to keep the whole family warm.

Thai people believe that keeping the fire is also keeping the family order. On the 30th night, everyone in the familySitting together by the red fire, grandparents told us about the custom of keeping the fire going through the night of the 30th of Tet. From the story, grandparents and parents pass on their ethnic fire-keeping methods to their children and grandchildren.

Nowadays, some customs of the Thai ethnic group are gradually fading away.The custom of keeping the fire burning overnight on the 30th of Tet is still preserved by the Thai people in Con Cuong. The custom of keeping the fire burning overnight on the 30th of Tet represents the concept of praying for good things for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Bao Ngoc