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| After the main rituals, everyone gathers to sing and dance |
Reciprocating gratitude
The An Ninh Pa Nua festival is not an annual event but is organized only once in the lifetime of each Co Tu family. Typically, 10 to 20 years after a daughter marries, the bride’s family will organize this ceremony to express gratitude for the love and protection that the groom’s family has given to their daughter. This is not only an occasion to strengthen in-law relationships but also an opportunity for the entire community to celebrate and preserve traditions.
From early morning, the host family and clan members busily prepare to welcome guests from the groom’s family. When the guests enter the village gate, a representative quickly returns to inform the family, ready to welcome them. Handshakes and congratulatory words resound amid laughter, creating a warm and sacred atmosphere.
Artisan Arel Doi, who has a deep understanding of Co Tu culture, shares: “This festival has great significance for us – the Co Tu people. It’s an occasion to express gratitude and also serves as parents’ advice to their daughter that once she has entered her husband’s home, she must fulfill her duty as a wife and mother, and be wholeheartedly devoted to her new family.”
After greetings, both families perform the ritual of offering gifts to ancestors and deities. Before the family altar, offerings are arranged with clear water, banana leaves, rice wine, etc. Both sides pray, hoping ancestors will witness and bless their descendants with good health and strengthen the bond between the in-law families.
“One of the most important rituals of this festival was buffalo sacrifice. However, this ritual has been modified, replaced by other ceremonies such as the ‘tung tung da da’ dance, Zeng weaving competitions, art performances... maintaining the spirit of the festival while adapting to modern life,” explains Artisan Arel Doi.
After the main ceremonies, everyone gathers around a traditional feast with stem liquor, bamboo-cooked rice, a-quat cakes... The in-law families exchange beautiful Zeng cloth as blessings, wishing for the continued harmonious connection between the two families.
Promoting festival values
The An Ninh Pa Nua festival not only is an important cultural event but also has great potential for community tourism development in A Luoi. In recent years, local authorities have made many efforts to preserve and promote the beauty of this festival.
Ms. Le Thi Them, Head of the Section of Culture, Science and Information of A Luoi district, said: “Currently, the district is incorporating the An Ninh Pa Nua festival into experiential tourism programs. By recreating the main rituals, tourists will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Co Tu culture, thereby contributing to preserving ethnic identity and developing the local economy.”
Currently, some community tourism models have begun to include this festival in their tour programs, helping tourists not only observe but also participate in traditional activities. They can experience Zeng weaving, learn traditional dances, or participate in preparing distinctive Co Tu dishes. This helps preserve the festival, creates livelihoods for local people, and encourages younger generations to take pride in and actively preserve their traditional culture.
Additionally, local authorities are also collaborating with cultural researchers, artisans, and the community to standardize rituals within the preservation framework, while also refreshing the organization format to attract more tourists. Experiential activities are integrated into eco-tourism programs, allowing tourists to both enjoy the pristine nature of A Luoi and better understand the distinctive cultural life of the Co Tu people.
Story: Bach Chau. Photo: Thu Hien