The
expression lingered in the mind of the Viet people like a reminder of finding
way back to the root as August and March came to join vivid festivals in memory
of Father and Holy Mother, who founded and protected the supernatural land. One
of such traditional major festivals, serving as a pride of indigenous
inhabitants as thinking about the kingly race of the Viet’s nation: Tran Temple
Festival.
The cluster monuments of Tran Temple are located in
the suburb of Nam Dinh Province with many communal houses, pagodas, temples,
tombs, stone shrines. Temples of Thien Truong, Co Trach and Pho Minh Pagoda -
the famous cultural historical relics dedicated to Tran reign, founded on the
land where the regime of Tran was generated. It is Tran Temple. In which, Thien
Truong Temple worships 14 Tran Kings, set up under the later Le Dynasty. Co
Trach Temple worships Tran Hung Dao, set up under the Nguyen Dynasty.
Tran Temple Festival annually lasts from the
15th-20th of lunar August. In the odd years, the festival is launched more
magnificently than in even years. Nevertheless, visitors all over the country
do not wait for the very happening of the festival to join but eagerly go on
pilgrimage far prior to the day. On their arrival, every people do expect the
good and happy things. The large flag flutters in front of the temple - the
traditional flag with striking colours standing for five basic elements, its
square shape stands for earth (negative), the sickle-shaped tassels for heaven
(positive). The word “Tran” is embroidered amidst the flag in Chinese
characters by two combined words “Dong” and “A”.
And
the activities...
Tran Temple Festival happens formally, consisting
processions from neighbouring villages to Thuong Temple. The incense-offering
rite involves in 14 virgins carrying 14 trays of flowers into the temple and
placing them on thrones in the musical vibration. This act is the image of the
former feudal courts.
The festival involves various cultural activities:
cock fighting, five-generation fighting art performances, wrestling, unicorn
dance, bai bong dance, sword dance, cheo singing, van singing and so on.
According to historic records, under the rule of King Tran Nhan Tong, after the
Mongolian invaders were defeated, the King offered feast through 03 successive
days known as “Thai binh dien yen”. The Great tutor Tran Quang Khai composed
the dance for the victory namely “bai bong” and taught the imperial singers to
perform. The dancers were pretty ladies dressed in the ethnic clothes, putting
on their shoulders a short pole hanging with flower baskets or paper-made
lanterns at the two ends. The dancers also held on to a fan to enrich their
performance. “Bai bong” dance contained acts of “bat dat”, “luc dat” and “tu
dat”. Nevertheless, it was neatly adjusted under the Nguyen Dynasty. Currently,
there is still a team of skilled dancers of the kind in Phuong Bong ward on the
outskirts of Nam Dinh. It is said that Hat Van is derived from Hat Chau
composed under the Tran Dynasty, popularized and trimmed under the Le Mat time.
Over the last years, branches and departments,
especially the culture-information sector in Nam Dinh, have paid attention to
preserving and enhancing such cultural identities. Nam Dinh Province takes
pride in its reference of “national root”, giving birth and nursing hearts and
souls of “Mother” and “Father” of the people. On the occasion of the festival,
people across the country are warmly welcome to the place by the local friendly
and simple residents.
The unique cultural activities, especially the
splendid and radiant atmosphere of “Dong A”, make Tran Temple Festival
attractive to travelers everywhere...
This
article written by Lanh Nguyen from Vietnam Vacation
For
original article, please visit:
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