“Cap sac” ritual of “long-dressed” Dao people

BHG - Located around 20 km from the centre of Ha Giang City, Mao Phin Village (Phuong Tien Commune, Vi Xuyen District) is home to the Dao ethnic group. On the last days of the year, choosing a good day and month, Mr. Trieu Van Manh's family held the “Cap Sac” ritual — a rite of passage declaring the coming-of-age of Dao men within the community — for their eldest son Trieu Van Man, who is now 28 years old.

The worship space is represented as a world of the living: 2 altars facing each other, one side is the gods, the other side is the ancestors. Many villagers and relatives are invited to attend the ritual.

In the spiritual culture of the Dao people, the “Cap Sac” ritual is an important event for the whole clan, affirming the maturity and role of men in the family and community, clearly demonstrating morality through the admonitions to preserve customs, not abandoning practices, guiding people towards good things, valuing loyalty and affection, and so on.

Before the ritual, Mr. Man had to sit alone in a room, eat vegetarian food, and not talk to outsiders.

The "long-dressed" Dao people only hold the ritual for one person at one time, at that person's house. The ritual is held in order of generation and rank: Grandfather, father, elder brother, younger brother, etc. According to the Dao people, if a man has not had the “Cap Sac” ritual, he is not considered an adult and cannot get married, no matter how old he is. The best age for the ritual is from 11 to 19. In the case of Mr. Man, although he was married, his economic conditions did not allow for the ritual.at the time he was old enough to perform it.

At around 10 pm, the bells and drums rang, beginning the initiation ceremony for Trieu Van Man.

The ethnic educational tradition in which the “Cap Sac” ritual is partly involved has created gentleness, caution, and discretion among the Dao people.

The ritual was held all night long, with the shamans taking turns to perform the rituals.

The person receiving the ritual was brought to the altar, where he had to sit in the foetal position, always facing the altar (South).

After "falling" in, the shaman immediately covered the “wrap” tightly with a blanket, like the image of a baby in the womb being reincarnated for the second time.

The person wearing the Kadong mask appeared to act out the running and shooting of an animal. The mask was intended to deal with demons, and the bow and arrow were used to hunt animals to feed the child.

The first bites of the man after being “born for a second time”.

These teachings were carried out by oath under the witness of gods, heaven, earth, ancestors before the entire clan community, so they had a great effect.

HA AN