The traditional boat racing festival on Kien Giang River in Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province, is held annually on the National Day on September 2.(Photo: VNA) QuangBinh (VNS/VNA) - The Ma Coong ethnic minority group’s drum beatingfestival and traditional boat racing on Kien Giang River in the centralprovince of Quang Binh have been officially recognised as nationalintangible cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Theministry has also requested provincial administration and relevantorganisations properly manage the new national heritages according to the law.
Accordingto Nguyen Mau Nam, Deputy Director of Quang Binh Province’s Department ofCulture and Sports, the events' recognition would help promote localtourism.
“Thesetwo new intangible cultural heritages will contribute to confirming that theland and ethnic minorities of Quang Binh Province are still preserving manyoriginal cultural values that are closely associated with manufacturing anddaily activities," he said. "The recognition will alsocreate opportunities to promote and introduce the heritages of the province tointernational friends."
Thetraditional boat racing festival on Kien Giang River in Le Thuy district isheld annually to encourage exercise, welcome a new flood season and wishfor favourable weather conditions and bumper crops.
After thesuccess of the August Revolution of 1945, the festival has been celebrated intandem with the National Day on September 2.
The drum beating festival of the Ma Coongethnic minority group in Thuong Trach commune takes place on the 16thday of the first lunar month.
The festive eventalso involves praying for good weather conditions, productive cropsand peaceful life. It also offers a chance for local young people to meet andget to know each other.
When night falls andthe moon rises, the village chief recites the prayers. As soon as the spiritualceremony ends, the youth start to beat a drum hard and fast until it is brokenin the early morning. The villagers then gather to enjoy the wine together,while others will go into the forest to talk or confess their love.
The drum beatingfestival is considered the biggest event of the year for the Ma Coongpeople, showcasing the fertility beliefs in the group's communal activities.
Two other practicesof Quang Binh province have previously been granted nationalrecognition: Le Thuy chanting and the fish-worshipping festival.-VNS/VNA
Theministry has also requested provincial administration and relevantorganisations properly manage the new national heritages according to the law.
Accordingto Nguyen Mau Nam, Deputy Director of Quang Binh Province’s Department ofCulture and Sports, the events' recognition would help promote localtourism.
“Thesetwo new intangible cultural heritages will contribute to confirming that theland and ethnic minorities of Quang Binh Province are still preserving manyoriginal cultural values that are closely associated with manufacturing anddaily activities," he said. "The recognition will alsocreate opportunities to promote and introduce the heritages of the province tointernational friends."
Thetraditional boat racing festival on Kien Giang River in Le Thuy district isheld annually to encourage exercise, welcome a new flood season and wishfor favourable weather conditions and bumper crops.
After thesuccess of the August Revolution of 1945, the festival has been celebrated intandem with the National Day on September 2.
The drum beating festival of the Ma Coongethnic minority group in Thuong Trach commune takes place on the 16thday of the first lunar month.
The festive eventalso involves praying for good weather conditions, productive cropsand peaceful life. It also offers a chance for local young people to meet andget to know each other.
When night falls andthe moon rises, the village chief recites the prayers. As soon as the spiritualceremony ends, the youth start to beat a drum hard and fast until it is brokenin the early morning. The villagers then gather to enjoy the wine together,while others will go into the forest to talk or confess their love.
The drum beatingfestival is considered the biggest event of the year for the Ma Coongpeople, showcasing the fertility beliefs in the group's communal activities.
Two other practicesof Quang Binh province have previously been granted nationalrecognition: Le Thuy chanting and the fish-worshipping festival.-VNS/VNA
VNA
