Over the past years, the district authorities has implemented measures for classification and restoration of traditional customs, belief rituals, folk festivals and songs, historical relics, indigenous voices and culinary culture of Tho ethnic group.

Yen Le commune where 95 percent of locals are Tho people is considered as a spearhead in the preservation and promotion of cultural traditions, especially the Thi temple festival.

Thi temple worships warrior Lê Phúc Thành who made great merits in the Lam Son insurrection from the early years of the resistance war against the Ming invaders (1416 - 1427) as well as in the establishment of Set village (now known as Trung Thanh village in Yen Le commune). The triennial festival is held on the 15th and 16th days of the third lunar month for honoring the village founder (considered as the village god), and pray for prosperity for the whole village.

The preservation of Thi temple festival include the reconstruction of Thi temple and the recreation of its worshipping rituals and offerings, folk games and performances reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of locals in a more convenient form.

In addition to Thi temple festival, many other festivals and worshipping rituals of Tho people are celebrated all year round, including  the Lunar New Year, Doan Ngo (the day for killing insects), rituals for lifecycle events and rituals relating to agricultural life and associating with the growth cycle of crops. Besides, the Tho ethnic group has still preserved many fine customs deeply bearing the cultural life and worshipping practices of its people.

Thanh Hoa province is home to more than 13,000 Tho people residing mainly in Nhu Xuan district. Like all other ethnic groups, the Tho people maintains a distinct and unique culture, so the preservation and promotion of Tho people’s culture identities has contributed to enrich the multi-ethnic culture of Vietnam.

DT (baothanhhoa.vn)