The Dao people's Tu Cai ceremony

The Tu Cai (coming of age) ceremony of the Dao Dau Bang people in Ho Thau commune, Tam Duong, Lai Chau is usually held in the last months of the year. This is a particularly important ceremony in the life of every Dao man because it is believed that only when a man is brought up to age, can he be considered an adult, can take part in the work of the family and community, and can reunite with his ancestors when he dies.

Vietnam.vn would like to introduce to you this ritual of the Dao Dau Bang people in Ho Thau commune, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province through the photo series "Tu Cai Ceremony of the Dao Dau Bang people" by author Pham Minh Tuan. The photo series was sent by the author to participate in the Photo and Video Contest "Happy Vietnam", organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

In the past, the Tu Cai ceremony took place over many days depending on the shaman, but now the ceremony usually lasts for about 3 days. During the ceremony, the person receiving the title will have to learn and pass many spiritual activities performed by experienced shamans or guided by the person receiving the title. Through these activities, the shamans will teach the students to learn and practice worship rituals, learn how to dance, learn how to use musical instruments, etc. In particular, the students will be taught about responsibilities and behavior in the family and community.

The most important ritual in the Tu Cai ceremony of the Dao Dau Bang people is the moment when the students perform the "falling from the platform". At this most important moment, under the witness of the shamans and the community, the person receiving the title must climb up to the high platform, lean back and then fall naturally onto the hammock below, stretched and held by 6 to 7 shamans with their hands. The hammock is covered with a flower blanket, the jumper must jump in a curled position like when he was in his mother's womb. As soon as the person falls and touches the hammock, the shamans will quickly put the hammock on the ground and roll the blanket up tightly. The master of ceremonies is the only one allowed to open the scarf to welcome the student out. For the Dao Dau Bang people, this ritual not only tests courage but they also consider the students to be born again after performing the falling from the platform ritual and from here the person receiving the title is officially an adult.

A man who wants to be recognized as an adult must perform the Tu Cai ceremony. The ceremony is usually held in winter or spring for young men who are 13 years old. In religious life, if you have not passed the Tu Cai ceremony, it means you do not have a soul, and even when you die, you cannot become a ghost, and you are not recognized by the community as an independent, mature individual. Therefore, any man, rich or poor, must perform it once in his life. The ceremony is held for 3 days or longer depending on the conditions and can be held by many families in one ceremony. The Tu Cai ceremony is an important milestone for each individual and is also the most important activity of the Dao community. It is not only an occasion to honor the people performing the ceremony and those who are granted the title, but also an opportunity for people to show their community solidarity. These things have created the most unique traditional ceremony, a symbol of solidarity and prosperity of the Dao community in Ho Thau.

In 2024, the Photo and Video Contest "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam" will continue to be organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in coordination with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists on the website. https://happy.vietnam.vn is open to all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and over. The contest aims to honor individuals and groups with positive information products, making practical contributions to the propaganda and promotion of a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world. Thereby helping people in the country, compatriots abroad and international friends access authentic images of the country, Vietnamese people, Vietnam's achievements in ensuring human rights, towards a happy Vietnam. Each contest category (photo and video) has the following prizes and prize values: - 01 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND - 02 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND - 03 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND - 10 Encouragement Prizes: 5,000,000 VND - 01 most voted work: 5,000,000 VND The winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Award Ceremony and Certificate on live television of Vietnam Television.

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