Following the cleansing ritual, villagers, under the shaman’s lead, perform a ceremony to pay tribute to the village’s guarding deities. Then, they gather to share the sacred offerings. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnAt dawn, following the first thunderclap of the year, the village shaman beats the gongs, summoning villagers to gather at Nam Ngan stream to clean their belongings, wash their faces, and rinse their feet, symbolically washing away the misfortunes of the past year. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnAt dawn, following the first thunderclap of the year, the village shaman beats the gongs, summoning villagers to gather at Nam Ngan stream to clean their belongings, wash their faces, and rinse their feet, symbolically washing away the misfortunes of the past year. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnVillagers wake up early to take all their pots, pans, and other cookware to wash, letting the bad luck of the old year be washed away. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnThe offerings on two ceremonial trays consist of traditional dishes with local exotic spices. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnRelatives and neighbours come together in celebration. The New Year Thunder Festival brings joy and excitement to everyone. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnThe ancestral offering tray includes traditional dishes. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnThe O Du ethnic community in Vang Mon village joyfully celebrate the Cham Phtrong Festival. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnDuring the New Year Thunder Festival, the cheerful sounds of bamboo and rattan musical instruments resonate throughout the village. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnAt dawn, following the first thunderclap of the year, the village shaman beats the gongs, summoning villagers to gather at Nam Ngan stream to clean their belongings, wash their faces, and rinse their feet, symbolically washing away the misfortunes of the past year. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnAt dawn, following the first thunderclap of the year, the village shaman beats the gongs, summoning villagers to gather at Nam Ngan stream to clean their belongings, wash their faces, and rinse their feet, symbolically washing away the misfortunes of the past year. VNA Photo: Xuân TiếnThe ancestral offering tray includes traditional dishes. VNA Photo: Xuân Tiến
Unique ‘New Year Thunder’ Festival of O Du Ethnic People
Cham Phtrong Festival, which is associated with the worship of the Thunder God, is one of the most significant festivals of the O Du ethnic people in Vang Mon village, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province. In their beliefs, the first thunderclap of the year marks the beginning of a new year. With the hope of peace for the village, favourable weather, bountiful harvests, and good health for all, the New Year Thunder Festival features unique rituals that embody the distinct cultural identity of the O Du people. VNA Photo: Xuân Tiến
