A Co Lao artisan with the ability to lick red-hot ploughshares

BHG - Ha Giang, a province where 19 ethnic groups have coexisted for generations, possesses many unique cultural characteristics. Among these are rituals that demonstrate extraordinary human abilities and carry mystical and inexplicable elements. One such phenomenon is the ability to lick red-hot ploughshares heated to hundreds of degrees Celsius, as demonstrated by a Co Lao artisan from Phin Su Village, Tung San Commune, Hoang Su Phi District.

It is known that a few individuals in Ha Giang from the Co Lao and Hmong ethnic groups possess the ability to directly lick ploughshares heated to hundreds of degrees Celsius. Among the Co Lao people, currently only one person has this ability: artisan Min Pha Xoan, aged 48 (pictured), who is a respected figure in the Co Lao community of Tung San Commune, Hoang Su Phi District.

According to Co Lao beliefs, the ritual of licking heated ploughshares is closely tied to agricultural worship, with wishes for favourable weather and bountiful harvests, whilst also dispelling illness and praying for community health and prosperity.

To perform the feat of licking ploughshares heated to hundreds of degrees Celsius, the Co Lao artisans and community must organise a ceremony involving three male participants: a shaman, an artisan capable of licking the heated ploughshare, and a ceremonial assistant.

The ritual comprises both raw and cooked offerings, with ceremonial items including a cock, a pig head, a pig liver, rice wine, traditional paper, and incense to be offered to the spirits.

During the ceremony, the iron ploughshare, a familiar implement to the Co Lao people, is placed in a basin of glowing coals to heat. When the heated ploughshare is removed and dipped in water, it immediately causes the water to boil vigorously.

Before demonstrating the extraordinary ability of directly licking the ploughshare heated in red-hot coals, the shaman and artisan perform a ritual to “communicate” with the spirits to receive protection against the burning heat.

Subsequently, the artisan removes the ploughshare from the blazing fire, walking and chanting whilst directly licking the intensely heated implement with his tongue. The contact between tongue and ploughshare creates visible smoke, leaving onlookers astounded and amazed.

Min Pha Xoan’s tongue remains unharmed after licking the heated ploughshare. However, the Co Lao artisans in Tung San strongly caution others against attempting to replicate this feat, as it is extremely dangerous and not something that everyone can accomplish.

HUY TOAN