Sacred forest worship ceremony

It has become a tradition that every year on the last day of the first lunar month, the villages in Na Hau commune gather in the forbidden forest and sacred forest to hold a ceremony to worship the Forest God.

Although life is increasingly modern and has many changes, for many years, the Mong Na Hau people still maintain this good custom because of its sacred meanings.

The forest worship ceremony, also known as "Forest Tet" of the Mong Na Hau ethnic group, begins with the procession of offerings to the forbidden forest. The unique and solemn ritual of the ceremony takes place at the forest gate, under the roots of an ancient tree.

Offerings to the Forest God include a pair of roosters, a black pig, wine, incense, and paper.

At the auspicious hour, the shaman respectfully offers incense, knocks on wooden fish in all four directions, and prays to the Forest God to enjoy the offerings, bless, protect, and bestow forest blessings on the people in the commune; prays for favorable weather, good vegetation, and bountiful harvests. After that, the shaman will perform other rituals at the base of the ancient tree.

Mr. Vu Xuan Ba, Secretary of the Na Hau Commune Party Committee, said: "The ritual not only has spiritual significance to pray for blessings, helping to preserve spiritual values ​​in the Mong ethnic community, but also contributes practically to forest protection."

The Mong people's belief in worshipping the Forest God has been passed down through many generations. In all the villages of Na Hau commune, there is a forbidden forest, a sacred forest located in the most beautiful location, where the full spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges to worship the Forest God with "inviolable" regulations.

According to the Mong people's concept, the forbidden forests and sacred forests near the village are places to protect the villagers from the wind, flash floods, and provide them with food, water to drink, and to irrigate their fields. Keeping the forest lush is also keeping the villagers safe and warm. Therefore, no one arbitrarily enters the forest to illegally destroy the forest.

Forest ban for 3 days to thank the Forest God

After the Forest New Year festival, according to Mong people's custom, the villages of Na Hau commune all close the forest for 3 days to thank the Forest God.

Also during these three days, everyone absolutely must follow the taboos prescribed by customary law, which are not to go into the forest to cut down trees, not to bring green leaves home from the forest, not to dig up roots, break bamboo shoots, not to dig the ground, not to let livestock roam free, not to dry clothes outdoors, not to grind corn or pound rice.

This is also an opportunity for the Mong Na Hau people to celebrate the Forest New Year, visit each other's houses, strengthen solidarity, and prepare mentally for a new working year with the belief that good things will come to everyone, every family.

More deeply, the meaning of the forest ban custom is also like a thank you to the forest god for protecting and feeding the people for generations. To show that gratitude, people will not destroy the forest but will spend time for the forest to regenerate and rest.

Shaman Trang A Cho said: "The customary law of the Mong people stipulates that anyone who violates the forbidden forest will be punished by bringing chickens, pigs, and inviting a shaman to make an apology to the Forest God. Not as complicated as other laws, the customary law of the Mong community in Na Hau commune is simple but very effective, bringing high efficiency in forest protection work. Therefore, when coming to Na Hau, everywhere you can see the immense green color of the primeval forests that have existed for hundreds of years."

The forest worshiping ceremony or Forest Festival has become a long-standing custom for the Mong people of Na Hau commune to remember their roots. The sacred forests and primeval forests are still green and eternal, as in the Mong people's custom of worshipping the forest to preserve the forest.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/doc-dao-le-cung-than-rung-cua-nguoi-mong-o-yen-bai-192250221163706002.htm