The forest worshiping ceremony (forest prohibition ceremony) has long become an important ritual of the Thai and H'Mong people in many highland villages of Son La.
This is a ritual that connects people with nature, expressing gratitude to the forest god for protecting the village, giving water sources, products and praying for health, happy families, favorable weather, and bumper crops.
Not only carrying religious meaning, the forest worshiping ceremony also contains profound humanistic values, contributing to raising community awareness in forest protection and ecological environment preservation.
In the bamboo shoot season every year, the people of Hat village, Muong La commune, organize a worshiping ceremony in the sacred forest of the village. Offerings include chickens, ducks, pigs, wine and local products, expressing their respect for the forest god and wishing for a peaceful life and good harvests.
Mr. Tong Van To, a village shaman, said: "The forest worshiping ceremony is a custom that has been preserved for generations. After the ritual, the whole village implements the regulation not to enter the forest for 2 days, not to cut down trees, take firewood or hunt for the forest to rest. At the same time, this is also a reminder to everyone to be responsible for preserving forest resources.
Ban It currently has 157 households with 784 people, 100% of whom are ethnic Thai people and for many years has maintained the forest worshiping ritual and the convention prohibiting entering the forest after the ceremony.
Mr. Ca Van Ngam - Secretary of the Party Cell, Head of It village - said that the forest worship ceremony not only contributes to preserving cultural identity but also raises awareness of forest protection, rational exploitation of resources and forest fire prevention, creating consensus for people to join hands to preserve the green color of the great forest.
In Nam Nghep village, Ngoc Chien commune, the H'Mong people still preserve the forest worship ceremony as a traditional beauty. The village is managing more than 11,200 hectares of forest with a cover of over 80%, creating livelihoods from many valuable medicinal herbs.
Mr. Khang A Say, Secretary of the Party Cell, Head of Nam Nghep village, said that the forest worshiping ceremony not only prays for peace in the village and good harvests, but also reminds people to join hands to protect the forest and maintain sustainable livelihoods.
After the ritual part, people gathered at the vacant land to organize a solidarity meal, enjoy traditional dishes, exchange production experiences and share ways to do business. The warm atmosphere contributed to tightening village and neighborhood solidarity, strengthening community cohesion and promoting the spirit of jointly protecting the forest.
Mr. Luong Minh Nham, a resident of Nong Tau Thai village, Phieng Cam commune, said that every time he participates in the forest worshiping ceremony, he clearly feels the sacred meaning of the ritual and the solidarity of the community.
The worshiping ceremony helps us appreciate nature more, preserve traditions and raise awareness of protecting forests, protecting the livelihoods of villages," Mr. Nham shared.
Amidst the modern pace of life, the forest worshiping ceremony is still preserved as a beautiful traditional cultural feature of the people in the highlands of Son La. The ceremony not only preserves national identity but also nurtures the awareness of protecting the forest, preserving the green of the great forest and the source of life for future generations.
