(Baonghean.vn) - Spirit mediumship, also known as spirit possession, is an important ritual in the Tam Phu - Tu Phu (Mother Goddess) worship tradition of our nation. This is a ritual of communicating with deities through mediums who transform into "Co Bo, Cau Hoang". It is believed that deities can possess the bodies of the mediums to ward off evil spirits, cure illnesses, and bestow blessings and good fortune upon their followers. In the final days of the year, at Hoang Muoi Temple...Spirit medium rituals take place regularly, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants.
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| The person leading the spirit medium ritual is generally called a "thanh dong." A thanh dong usually has two or four assistants (called "nhi tru" or "tu tru hau dang") who accompany them to prepare costumes, offerings, etc. |
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| If the bronze statue is male, it is called "Cậu". Besides wearing many elaborate and beautiful costumes, "Cậu" also applies makeup and may have long hair like a girl. |
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| An important part of the spirit medium ritual is the "cung văn" (singing and playing group). The "cung văn" in the ritual consists of 3-5 musicians, using instruments such as the moon lute, small drums, cymbals, and clappers, showcasing a very distinctive folk performance art. The "cung văn" are knowledgeable in ancient texts, possessing a keen sense of improvisation to sing the texts in harmony with the spirit medium's performance, enhancing the medium's experience. |
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| When a spirit possesses a medium, the medium is no longer themselves but the embodiment of the deity who has entered them. |
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| In the spirit medium ritual, there are a total of 36 stages, each dedicated to a different deity. Typically, a single ritual doesn't include all 36 stages, but rather 8 to 15, depending on the medium's wishes. |
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| Each time the price was changed, they covered the bronze statue with a red silk cloth. |
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| After changing costumes, the young man moved on to a new role with a new character. |
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| Sometimes the bronze statue transforms into a general, other times into a beautiful and talented girl. |
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| The dance performed by the mediums is also modified according to the characteristics of each spirit possession. |
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| The effigy of the mandarin usually involves flag dances, sword dances, and dances with long swords and spears; the effigy of the goddess involves fan dances and dances with bait. |
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| "The Emperor's" performance included dancing with scarves, dancing with bare hands, and waving flags... |
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| While the main medium was transforming, the assistant mediums kneeling below also swayed and danced in response. |
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| The shaman bestows blessings upon his disciples to dispel bad luck from the year and grant them good fortune and peace in the new year. |
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In Nghe An, the spirit medium ritual is regularly performed at temples such as Ong Hoang Muoi Temple and Hong Son Temple. The spirit medium ritual in the Mother Goddess religion is deeply rooted in the nation's origins and history, becoming a patriotic symbol that has been spiritualized and religiously significant. |
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| With these precious values, on September 9, 2013, the spirit medium ritual was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Mother Goddess worship belief of the Vietnamese people was recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. |
Neptune - Le Thang
