Xo May Festival of Muong Lai commune enthralls visitors

Culture

Xo May Festival of Muong Lai commune enthralls visitors

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

YBO - Muong Lai commune of Luc Yen district, Yen Bai province, has held a festival praying for good luck, called Xo May in the Tay ethnic language, that is linked with the Na Ngam Communal House Festival to introduce the local Tay people’s cultural identity to visitors.

The Dam Thuong dance by over 200 amateur performers from hamlets and villages of Muong Lai commune

Muong Lai is known for its rich culture, history, and revolutionary tradition. It also boasts a culture connected with the Chay River and characterised by legends; the "Kham hai” epic; the cooi, khap, and luon phong slu singing; festivals; and the sound of traditional gongs and drums.

Since the days immemorable, there have been various beliefs in the spiritual life of the Tay ethnic people in the commune, and the practice of ancestor worship in each family is the most important.

In addition, the worship of gods such as land genies, tutelary deities, the God of Mountain, the God of River, and the God of Fire is also highly popular in each village and festival here.

The Xo May Festival, linked with the Na Ngam Communal House Festival and held every spring, plays an important role in the spiritual life of residents in Muong Lai commune. At this event, the community prays for good weather, bumper crops, peace, and prosperity.

A spinning top competition at the Xo May Festival

This year’s festival featured various activities, including displaying and selling typical products made by locals, folk games, making traditional dishes, and a weaving competition.

In particular, the Tay people’s traditional Dam Thuong dance was shown by more than 200 amateur performers. According to folk belief, this dance is a way via which locals invite deities to grant their wishes, express gratitude to the gods, and pray for wealth, good luck, and bumper yields in the New Year.

The festival attracted thousands of visitors, creating a jubilant atmosphere for the start of the Year of the Cat and encouraging emulation in the public to help Muong Lai commune successfully carry out political tasks and reach targets for 2023.

A pavilion introducing typical products of Hamlet 4 in Muong Lai commune

Anh Dung

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