Sacred ritual in the great forest
After the full moon of the first lunar month, when the full moon hangs on the top of the mountain, the Ma Coong people in Thuong Trach commune, Quang Tri province excitedly enter the drum beating festival, one of the unique rituals in the majestic Truong Son mountains and forests. Not only is it a spiritual ritual to pray for harvests, this is also an opportunity for the community to connect and pass on cultural identity through many generations.
Preparations have been going on for many days. Village men go into the forest to choose strong wood trees with natural hollow trunks to make drums. Cowhide is carefully preserved for many months, and only on the festival day is brought out to cover the drum face. Old rattan vines are soaked, boiled and cooked, then tied tightly to fix them. Each stage requires dexterity, meticulousness and showing respect for the gods.
According to village elder Dinh Xon, the sound of drums is the embodiment of spirituality, the sacred voice of the Ma Coong people in the great forest. The sound echoing throughout the mountains and forests not only dispels bad things but also affirms the resilience of the community in the face of natural disasters and wild animals.
The festival is held once a year so that people can make crops in the fields and hills, avoiding risks and illnesses. When everyone breaks the drum, young men and women who have been friends or have previous contracts can come together, meet, chat and have fun" - village elder Dinh Xon shared.
Lovemaking night and desire for fulfillment
After the ritual part, the festival atmosphere is bustling. People and tourists gather around jars of can wine, immersed in the sound of gongs and cheerful laughter. The sacred drum is beaten continuously until the drum face is punctured. The sound resounds into the cliffs, spreading far in the great forest as a message of wishing for peace and prosperity for the village.
According to the beliefs of the people, breaking the drum symbolizes a new beginning and the proliferation of the ethnic group. This is a rare opportunity in the year for unmarried men and unmarried women to freely learn about it in the presence and blessings of the community.
Legend has it that in ancient times, a yellow monkey appeared in this land, often destroying fields and fields, causing villagers to lose crops and get sick. Being advised by Giang, villagers beat drums and gongs to drive away evil spirits. Since then, the sound of drums has become a symbol of solidarity and belief in difficult victories.
Today, the festival not only attracts local people but also attracts tourists from near and far. Do Phuong Linh said that this is her first time participating, so she is very excited. From early morning, people have been busy tying drums, setting up booths, preparing offerings, creating a bustling atmosphere that lasts until the moonlit night.
This is the first time I have attended the Ma Coong drum festival, so I am very excited. The festive atmosphere is everywhere. I cherish this unique experience and love the diversity in Vietnamese cultural identity even more" - Do Phuong Linh shared.
Amidst the echoing drumbeats, the warm rice wine, and the flickering fire, the drum-beating festival becomes a symbol of the harmony between people and nature. There, traditions are continued, love between couples is nurtured, and the cultural identity of the Ma Coong people is still firmly preserved in the great Truong Son mountains.