Kim Giang communal house festival

Kim Giang communal house festival Time: February 11-12 of the lunar calendar Location: Kim Giang Communal House, Dai Kim Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi City. Objects of worship: Worshiping Tutelary God Mao Giap Hoa and Saint Mother Le Ngai My Chau. Characteristics: Rituals, processions, folk songs, chess, cockfighting, tug of war... Kim Giang village communal house is located on Kim Giang street near temples and pagodas, in the cluster of historical relics of Kim Giang communal houses, temples and pagodas. The communal house worships the Tutelary God whose name is Mao Giap Hoa. According to the genealogy, he is a native of Phong Chau and was born on February 12, Quy Mui year. His mother, Le Ngai My Chau, was pregnant with him for 12 months and went into labor for 10 days. He was born with a beautiful body, with beautiful patterns on his skin like a rose, so he was called Mao Giap Hoa. He was a brave but perfect person. At the age of 16, he passed the valedictorian's exam and passed Hoang Giap's exam. The king appointed him Son Tay Doc Hoc, and after 6 months he was promoted to Infantry Inspector. At a time when the country was in turmoil and there were foreign invaders, the king assigned him to be a military mandarin to command three armies to fight and win. When the triumphant army passed through Kim Lu (now Kim Giang), he realized that this was a valuable place and immediately invited the village elders to give 300 quans of money to build communal houses and temples in the southeast direction. When he returned home, he fell ill and passed away. The king mourned and proclaimed him a supreme god and granted him eternal worship to the villagers of Kim Giang. Kim Giang village communal house festival is organized annually for 2 days by the people in the area to honor the merits of Him and His Mother. The festival program takes place as follows: February 11: In the morning, the opening ceremony took place after a jubilant drumming by the village's drum team. Next is the naturalization ceremony at the communal house and temple by the village elders wearing traditional costumes asking for permission from the village's Tutelary God. The afternoon continued with traditional folk activities such as cockfighting, Chinese chess, and swinging. In the evening, there will be a music and dance performance at Kim Giang village communal house yard. February 12: The main festival begins with the procession of the ordination board from the family home to the communal house and temple. Leading the procession is a dragon dancing team led by village youth, followed by children carrying Uncle Ho's image, followed by a male and female worship team. The troupe of dancers performed by children throughout the procession path brought an atmosphere of joy and innocence of children. The ordination board accompanies the palanquin procession led by the village women's association, followed by the ceremonial team of people in the village and outside the village participating in the festival. The program continued with the male and female altar teams performing the incense offering ceremony and reciting the Mother's Mass eulogy at communal houses and temples. Then the villagers and tourists enjoy the holy blessings. The afternoon continued with entertaining activities and awarding prizes to winning games at the temple grounds. Thanksgiving to the Saint and summary of the festival are conducted by the elders and villagers in the late afternoon. Kim Giang village festival is held annually to help educate children and grandchildren in the village not to forget the tradition of defending the country of their ancestors and to enhance the solidarity of people inside and outside the village.