Boats and sampans have long been a familiar image associated with the lives of people, especially in the Mekong Delta. Boats go to Thu Dau Mot. Thanks to the Thuong River for carrying heavy alluvium. Boats go down to Can Tho floating market. On Ninh Kieu wharf, boats wait and look forward. - Poem by Hoai Vu - With its unique geographical features, boats are not only a means of transportation, but also a symbolic image of the cultural life bearing the mark of the river region. The Ngo boat racing festival is one of the unique traditional festivals of the Khmer people in the Mekong Delta on the occasion of the annual Ok Om Bok festival. The Ngo boat racing festival always covers the calm river sections with colorful clothes, bringing with it the excitement and excitement of the local people. This is not only a sports competition but also an important cultural and spiritual event, clearly demonstrating the unique cultural quintessence of the Khmer people. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"]
The Ngo boat racing festival is an activity within the framework of the 5th Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Racing in Soc Trang, Mekong Delta region in 2022. Photo: People's Army Newspaper[/caption] Ngo boats are large boats, about 25-30 meters long, made from Sao tree trunks, long and sturdy tree trunks, elaborately carved and painted in bright colors, showing the strength and vitality of the Khmer people. When the festival season comes, Khmer villages from Tra Vinh, Soc Trang to An Giang become bustling with the atmosphere of preparing for the race. Ngo boat teams, consisting of strong young men, are carefully selected and practice every week to get ready for the competition. Before the race takes place, a solemn ceremony is held to pray for the protection of the gods, called the Ngo boat launching ceremony. From the concept of "all things have animism", the Khmer believe that Ngo boats are also sacred objects. Every move with Ngo boat must be made with a prayer ceremony. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Ngo boat racing in the Ooc Om Bok festival in Soc Trang in 2020. Photo: Collected[/caption] With the belief of calling on the gods to help the boat team to win, people held a worship ceremony with the full presence of athletes and a large number of supporters in the phum sroc (village)... The solemn atmosphere of the worship ceremony spread throughout the space, blending with the bustling sound of drums and gongs, creating a delicate symphony between nature and people. When the race started, thousands of people and tourists poured onto both sides of the river to cheer for the boat teams. The cheers and encouragement echoed throughout the sky, mixed with the urging sound of drums, creating a vibrant and dramatic atmosphere. The ngo boat teams, with the unanimity and rhythm of the rowers, rushed across the water, like wooden arrows launched into the blue water. The race is not only a competition of strength but also a symbol of solidarity, team spirit and national pride. On the sidelines of the main race, the festival also has many rich cultural and artistic activities. Lion dance and dragon dance performances, and folk games such as tug of war and sack jumping also attract enthusiastic participation from everyone, from children to adults. Traditional music and dance performances by local artists not only enrich the festival atmosphere but also help visitors understand more about the culture and customs of the Khmer people. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"]
People on both sides of the Long Binh River cheer for the racing teams. Photo: Bao Ve Phap Luat Newspaper[/caption] Cuisine in the Ngo boat racing festival is also an indispensable part, contributing to enriching the experience of tourists. Khmer specialties such as vermicelli soup, flattened green rice (Khmer people), five-color sticky rice (Tay people), beef curry (Cham people) are sold everywhere, bringing unique and attractive flavors. Tourists not only get to enjoy delicious food but also "fill" their eyes with rich traditional cultural stories of the local people. The Ngo boat racing festival is a sporting activity and an opportunity for Khmer people to educate younger generations about religious beliefs, honor the gods, pray for a bountiful harvest and a peaceful life. This is also an opportunity for the community to connect, share joy together, deepen pride in the cultural traditions of the nation as well as promote the image and tourism of the locality. The Ngo boat racing festival of the Khmer people is bustling in a vivid and colorful picture of culture and national spirit. The Ngo boat racing festival not only enriches the spiritual life of the people but also contributes to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.
Hoang Anh
Comment (0)