As part of cultural activities themed "Vietnam with ethnic colors" at Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Son Tay town, Thanh Minh (grave-visiting) festival of the Dao people from Hanoi’s Ba Vi district has been reenacted.
Unlike Thanh Minh (grave-visiting) festival of Tay and other ethnic groups on the third day of the third lunar month, the Dao people in Hanoi’s Ba Vi district celebrate it on the 23rd day of the second lunar month. Near the festival time, each family chooses a good day and invites a shaman to celebrate Thanh Minh festival.
According to Dao people’s belief, Thanh Minh festival is the chance for descendants to pay gratitude their ancestors and the dead with worshipping offerings.
Offerings for this occasion include chicken, fish, Giay cake (glutinous rice cake), votive papers, and wine, etc.
A shaman performs rituals
In addition, Thanh Minh festival of Dao people is considered as a beautiful cultural feature that helps educate younger generations on their roots, so Dao people preserve and pass their unique cultural identities from generation to generation.
