Kate festival is the most important festival of the year for the Cham people who follow Brahmanism, annually held on the 1st day of the seventh month in Cham calendar for commemorating merits of their ancestors and praying for good weather, prosperous agricultural production, happy family and harmony community.
Delegation led by Vice Chairman of Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyễn Ánh Chức extends congratulation to Dignitary Council of Cham Brahmin community in Ninh Thuan province on the occasion of Kate festival 2024
The festival often features worshipping rituals of Cham Brahmin people and serves as an opportunity for Cham people to introduce their unique cultural identities to domestic and foreign tourists.
Kate festival 2024 took place from October 1-3 in central provinces of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan. In Ninh Thuan, Kate festival was held in three temples and towers of Po Klong Garai located in Phan Rang - Thap Cham city, Po Rome and Po Inu Nugar located in Ninh Phuoc district.
Cham Brahmin dignitaries lead procession of goddess Po Inu Nugar’s costume in Ninh Thuan province’s Ninh Phuoc district
Traditional dance team of Cham villages in Phuoc Hau commune participates in costume procession
Ninh Thuan province currently has 90,207 Cham people living in 13 communes and towns in six districts and provincial cities, accounting for 12.3% of the province’s population.
Opening ceremony of Kate festival 2024 at Po Sah Inu tower located in Binh Thuan province’s Phan Thiet city
In Binh Thuan, Kate festival 2024 included a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister’s decision to recognize the golden Linga discovered at Po Dam tower located in Tuy Phong district’s Phu Lac commune as a national treasure.
The golden Linga treasure of the Cham people dated back to the 8th and 9th centuries is a symbol of the proliferation of creatures, weighing 78.36 grams with a dragon gold ratio of 90.4% and the remaining of 9.6% made of silver and copper. The golden Linga was discovered during archaeological excavations at the Po Dam Cham tower area in 2013-2014.
The national treasure golden Linga is an important historic artifact for archeology and research in various fields of history, culture, fine arts, religion, metallurgical techniques, and jewelry craft of the ancient Cham community in the South Central region.
Displaying golden Linga treasure at Kate festival 2024 in Binh Thuan
Cham youth participate in costume procession at Kate festival in Binh Thuan province
NL
