Go to Vo Liet to watch the wrestling match.

(Baonghean)The Bach Ma Temple Festival, held annually on the 12th day of the first lunar month, attracts a large number of locals and tourists from all over. Besides its reputation for sacredness, the festival also offers people the opportunity to enjoy the traditional wrestling game, a unique folk game of the people of Vo Liet (Thanh Chuong)...

An elaborate, folk game.

To better understand the traditional wrestling game, we sought out teacher Nguyen Thanh Phuc, who played a significant role in reviving this folk game. According to Mr. Phuc, the traditional wrestling game dates back to around the beginning of the 15th century. It's a game that requires strength, skill, and agility. Originating from the selection of strong, agile wrestlers to join the army of General Phan Dan – a young military commander of King Le Thai To (currently worshipped at Bach Ma Temple) – the traditional wrestling game gradually became a folk festival deeply ingrained in the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Vo Liet (Thanh Chuong), considered the origin of this game.

To prepare the best balls, before the festival day, people select banana tree trunks, preferably large ones from the seeded variety, and dig them up to get the rhizomes. Using a sharp knife, they carve the rhizomes into round shapes with a diameter of 30cm and a weight of 5-7kg, then boil them in water and dry them in the sun. At this point, the balls are dark in color and very flexible, not cracking or breaking during play. The playing field for the ball game must be an alluvial plain on the riverbank, about 50m long and 25m wide. There are three forms of the ball game: golf ball, push ball, and water ball. All three forms share the same scoring system and layout: at each end of the field are two baskets woven from bamboo or reeds, 1.5m high and 50cm in diameter (golf ball, water ball), or a deep hole 50 x 50cm (push ball). The side that manages to get the ball into the opponent's basket (or hole) scores one point.

In golf, when the game begins, both sides line up in the middle of the field, with the ball placed on the ground; at the signal of the referee, both sides begin to scramble and pass the ball to each other... In push ball, the ball is buried deep in the sand in the middle of the field. At the signal, both sides compete to dig up the ball with their bare hands. Once one side has the ball, the players of both teams stand behind the captain – the one holding the ball – and begin to push it. The side that proves stronger in this push, forcing the opponent to retreat, wins the right to hold the ball. Immediately afterwards, they quickly and skillfully run and pass the ball to each other to get it to the finish line. Particularly fun and exciting is the water ball game. The water ball game is a sandy area flooded with water about 30-40cm deep along the riverbank, with the ball buried deep in the waterlogged sand; At the start, both teams immerse themselves in the water, vying to retrieve the ball. Then, they run and wade with the large, heavy ball, while dodging their opponents who are trying to snatch it. Ball wrestling competitions are often organized between villages; the duration of each game is not fixed, and the number of participants on each side is also not limited.

Over time, the traditional wrestling game has faded into obscurity. How can this unique folk game be revived? In 2010, Mr. Phuc was the one who collected, researched, restored, and brought the wrestling game back to the Bach Ma Temple Festival.

Wrestling in the lives of the people.

Visiting Vo Liet village, considered the cradle of the Thanh Chuong wrestling festival, we met Mr. Nguyen Kim Tinh (85 years old), the only remaining athlete from the old wrestling festival. Mr. Tinh said: "Only strong, agile young men could participate in the wrestling festival. In the past, the festival was usually held during the Lunar New Year, with drums beating to officially open the festival on the afternoon of the second day of Tet, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. People from all over the village and surrounding areas flocked to the open field by the Lam River right next to the village to watch. Old and young, men and women, all were present. Then there were gongs, drums, flags, and fans; if someone from a family participated, the whole family and relatives would come out to cheer. To distinguish the two teams, the organizers stipulated the color of the loincloths or the colored scarves worn on the heads. Although there wasn't a specific rule, the wrestling festival did not tolerate rough or malicious play. It was very fierce but also very friendly." The award was only symbolic and an honor, yet everyone was excited and proud!

Illustration photo: Internet.

In a conversation with Mr. Phan Chinh Tam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vo Liet commune, it was learned that in recent years, the traditional wrestling festival has not been held at the beginning of Spring but has been included by the Vo Liet commune government as part of the Bach Ma Temple Festival, on the 12th day of the first lunar month. Initially, Vo Liet revived two participating teams, and now six communes have wrestling teams.

Currently, the traditional wrestling game is only enjoyed by the people of Vo Liet commune. In the future, it is necessary to attract other communes to participate so that every commune has a wrestling team, and eventually Thanh Chuong district should organize a dedicated day for the wrestling festival.

Thanh Thuy