On February 16th (December 29th of the lunar calendar), Quynh Nhai commune will again organize the traditional Hairwashing Festival, called "lung ta" in Thai. The festival takes place at Linh Son - Thuy Tu temple and Hairwashing wharf, Pom Sinh village.
The festival originated from the story of Nang Han - a female general disguised as a man, leading troops to fight the enemy and protect the village. After the victory, she let her soldiers stop by the stream to bathe, celebrate and welcome the new year. Since then, the ritual has been maintained on the last day of the lunar year.
Mr. Dinh Trung Dung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quynh Nhai commune, said: "The festival is associated with the belief in worshiping Nang Han and is held regularly on the 30th of Tet. In January 2020, the festival was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage".
The festival consists of two parts: ceremony and festival. The ceremony part opens with the ritual of offering offerings at the Nang Han temple and Linh Son - Thuy Tu temple, praying to the mountain gods and river gods for blessings. The shaman, on behalf of the villagers, requests to open the festival, commemorating the merits of the predecessors.
People's Artist Dieu Van Minh shared: "On the last day of the year, people in the villages all go down to the river to attend the ceremony. After the worshiping part, everyone takes water with xo xe leaves, bo ket or rice water to wash their hair. This is a ritual to wash away bad luck, praying for health and peace.
The hair wash ceremony takes place by the Da River wharf. Fragrant water cooked from acacia, grapefruit leaves, lemongrass and spring flowers. According to Thai people's belief, anyone who has not washed their hair on this occasion is considered to have not shed the bad luck of the old year.
Ms. Tong Thi Ban, Bung Lanh village, said: "I participate every year. After shampooing, I feel relieved, believing that bad luck will drift away with the water.
As a child returning from afar for Tet, Mr. La Van Quy, Phieng Nen village, expressed: "I go to work far away, every time I return during festivals, I am very proud. I record beautiful moments, share them on social networks so that friends can understand more about the culture of my nation.
After the ceremony part, people joined in the Xoe dance and con throwing game in a bustling atmosphere. The festival is not only a religious activity but also expresses the spirit of solidarity, contributing to promoting culture and tourism in the Quynh Nhai lake area every spring.
