Gau Tao Festival
The Gau Tao Festival is a significant cultural and religious celebration of the H'Mong people in Ha Giang, primarily held during the Tet Holiday or during periods of agricultural downtime. This festival exemplifies the rich cultural heritage of the H'Mong community, showcasing various customs and traditions unique to their identity. It serves multiple purposes, predominantly to express gratitude to the Gods and ancestors for the family's wellbeing and prosperity. Additionally, the festival is an occasion for family members to seek blessings for success in fields such as health, fertility, and love. Notably, the Gau Tao Festival is organized by individual households rather than the entire village, leading to numerous celebrations throughout the year.
Photo: tago.vn
Typically, on the eve of the festival, the village leader announces the event to other families. On the morning of the festival, participants don traditional attire and bring musical instruments, such as flutes. The event comprises two main sections: the ritual and the festival. The ritual focuses on the organizing family, where they prepare a feast for their ancestors at the family altar. A shaman assists in the spiritual connection, calling the spirits back to their ancestral home and offering prayers. The family also erects a tall pole at the center of the festival site, adorned with an alcohol pouch and a red ribbon, as a way to invite the Gods and inform the community about the festivities. The second portion of the event is the festival itself, which accommodates guests and villagers alike. This lively segment of the celebration features various traditional activities, such as competitive games, including wrestling and crossbow shooting. It also serves as a venue for social interaction, allowing young men and women to meet and express their affections through cultural expressions like flute dancing and singing contests. A typical Gau Tao Festival can span 3 to 5 days and is often celebrated multiple times throughout the year.
Photo: nhandan.com.vn
Khau Vai Love Fair
The Khau Vai Love Fair is a traditional market of ethnic people that often happens on 26/3 (Lunar Calendar).
