The Aza Koonh Festival in Thua Thien Hue province’s A Luoi district has been recognized as the national cultural intangible heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Aza Festival of the Pa Co ethnic group in the district includes Aza Kan and Aza Koonh. While Aza Kan Festival is annually held, Aza Koonh Festival takes place once every five years.
The Aza Koonh is the traditional New Year festival of Pa Co and Ta Oi ethnic groups. It usually takes place from the 6th of the eleventh lunar month to the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. Each village will choose the best day between these times for organizing the main rituals.
The Aza Koonh festival features many traditional rituals for purification, chasing evil spirits, making preparation, inviting rice goddess, making offerings as well as worshipping rituals dedicated to particular gods and the deceased. Offerings in worshipping rituals include glutinous rice, chicken, pork, duck, goat meat, and crop seeds, etc.
Offerings in Giang worshipping ritual in Aza traditional New Year
Nguyên Hải (vov.vn)
