Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện signed a decision on February 27, 2017 to recognize the forest worshipping of Nung people in Ha Giang province’s Hoang Su Phi district as national intangible cultural heritage.
Every year, the forest worshipping takes place on the first day of the second and seventh lunar month. Offerings during the worshipping ceremony include pig, chicken and wine.
For the Nung people, the forest genie is considered as a sacred god who protects the villagers in their daily lives.
To pay respect to the forest god, on the next day after the worshipping ceremony, local villages must abide by strict rules, including no tree cutting and deforestation for cultivation.
The forest worshipping tradition of Nung ethnic people contributes to respect the forest life and raise protection awareness of the forest and environment.
PH
