On the evening of February 20 (ie, the night of the 4th day of the Binh Ngo Tet), in the area next to O village cemetery (Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh province), the Yin-Yang market took place with mysterious and unique colors.
This market only meets once a year, starting from the twilight of the 4th day of Tet and lasting until the dawn of the 5th day of Lunar New Year.
According to local folk legends, the night of the 4th and dawn of the 5th day of Tet is the time when yin and yang harmonize, the time of exchange between people and ghosts, between the afterlife and the human world.
The market meeting location is the battlefield between the Hai Ba Trung insurgents and the Southern Han invaders, where many corpses are piled up, crows flying back to blacken the fields, so it is called O land (black crows), the space is desolate, with many souls of fallen soldiers.
According to reporters' records, a large number of local people and tourists from all over flocked to this year's market, creating a bustling atmosphere.
Going to the Yin-Yang market at the beginning of spring is also a way to pray for good luck, comfort, and encourage each other to shed worries.
This year's market takes place right after the national peace and prosperity prayer ceremony of local people. Next is the opening ceremony of the market and experiential activities, exchanging goods according to ancient rituals.
Goods sold at the market are mainly incense lamps, votive paper to send to the deceased, along with items such as wine, betel and areca, salt, lighters, flowers, trees, seeds and many types of fruits such as gac fruit, tomatoes, papaya, carrots...
The market space is lit with oil lamps or candles, minimizing electric light, creating a magical and sacred scene.
Buyers do not bargain, sellers do not quote prices, everything takes place in self-awareness and mutual respect.
In particular, a commodity that many people seek to buy is black chicken. According to folk beliefs, anyone who buys black chicken at Am Duong market in O village will have good luck in the new year.
This year, more than 300 black chickens have been sold out before dawn.
