Kate Festival

Kate Festival, also known as Mbang Kate, is celebrated by the Cham people for three days at the beginning of October. This vibrant event takes place in a spacious area surrounding the three prominent Cham Towers: Po Nagar, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome. The main purpose of the festival is to honor their cultural heroes, including Po Klong Garai and Po Rome, as well as to remember deceased family members. Additionally, the festival serves as a joyous occasion for the local community to relax, connect, and extend well-wishes for the future.

Photo: lotussia.com

Considered one of the most significant events for the Cham people in Vietnam, the Kate Festival offers a wonderful opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Cham culture, showcasing unique architecture, traditional costumes, musical instruments, and ancient songs that celebrate their kings. The festivities begin at each tower simultaneously on the first day, followed by various villages and families conducting their own rituals on the subsequent day. During these rites, participants invoke their ancestors and deities with the assistance of a shaman, praying for health and prosperity. The core festival activities take place after these rites, featuring a blend of traditional music and dance, including performances with the Ginang Drum and Saranai Flute, as well as traditional dances performed by Cham girls.