Harvest Praying Ceremony of the Pa Then people recognised as national intangible cultural heritage

BHG - On the evening of September 26, in Minh Thuong Village (Tan Lap Commune), the People's Committee of Bac Quang District held a ceremony to announce the decision and award the certificate of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for Social customs and beliefs of the Harvest Praying Ceremony (Mi nhung hoi) of the Pa Then people in Tan Lap Commune.

Tan Lap Commune receives the Certificate of Recognition from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including the Pa Then People's Harvest Praying Ceremony in the national intangible cultural heritages list.

The Harvest Praying Ceremony of the Pa Then people in Tan Lap Commune has a long history, preserved, maintained and organised annually in the 10th lunar month by the Pa Then community. The worshipping part is important in giving people strength, helping them believe in the presence of deities who always accompany them in life, and helping them when needed. This belief reflects the spiritual world, beliefs and social customs of the Pa Then people in the past and present, integrating layers of cultural values through the worship of ancestors and supreme deities, contributing to the preservation and conservation of traditional cultural capital, playing an important role in educating the younger generation to remember history and protect the living environment. The Harvest Praying Ceremony custom has spiritual significance and demonstrates the community’s solidarity in praying for favourable weather and bountiful crops.

At the ceremony, the specialised agency announced Decision No.386, dated February 21, 2024, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on including the social customs and beliefs of the Harvest Praying Ceremony of the Pa Then people in Tan Lap Commune in the list of national intangible cultural heritages. The recognised heritage will create favourable conditions for preserving and promoting cultural heritage values while attracting the attention of tourists and researchers, contributing to further development of the local socio-economic situation.

THU PHUONG