Tra Co village festival

Every year, from May 30 to June 3 of the lunar calendar, in Tra Co communal house, there are many traditional, large -scale festivals, typical for the type of folk festival. In particular, the unique feature of the festival is the "Mr. Elephant" contest. This main ritual is maintained annually, becoming a unique feature of Mong Cai border. According to customs, before entering the festival, Tra Co village meets the village to choose 12 people, called the "bust", to prepare for the festival next year. "Cai" must be human, healthy, do business, have morality and healthy lifestyle, the family of children is in harmony, not entangled in funerals. Those who are chosen by the village are also very honored, because according to the concept of the ancients, any family who does good work will be fortified, healthy, eaten ... Notably, even if they fulfill their duties well, each person is only honored to be a one -time -one in his life. From the beginning of the year, each group will raise a pig. After buying home, this pig is called "elephant", considered the mascot of the god. "Mr. Elephant" is well cared for, eaten well, sleeps to avoid mosquitoes, are fully examined and cared for, cherished and respectful.

In the afternoon of the 30-5 lunar calendar, after the celebration of the ancestor, 12 reasons will use red cribs with the roof of the rain and sun to pick up "Mr. elephant", which was washed and washed in two rows in front of the communal house to adoration. After the sacrifice of the god, the organizers of the festival will use a measure from head to tail, measure necklace, weight "he". "He" is long, the largest, beautiful and heaviest necklace will win the first prize; At the same time, it is kept for sacrifices. In the ceremony, in addition to the pig, it is indispensable to grab the tail of this "elephant".

The awarding ceremony for Cai Cai with the "elephant" first prize will be held on the morning of the festival (1/6). During the festivals, the guards will have to be on duty at the communal house, with the organizers to take care of the worshiping and incense sticks until the festival is completed. They are respected by the villagers as "Mr. Dam". The custom of Mr. Elephant has its own unique features, deeply expressing the wish of the prosperous and full life of the people of Tra Co; At the same time, it affirmed a cultural beauty and life of a ritual at the beginning of the country.

Tra Co Dinh festival with Tra Co relics and many unique cultural features of the Mong Cai waters in the nucleus of Tra Co National Tourism Area has become an attractive, unique and unique destination, making every Vietnamese land once desire to come here. More honor, on December 20, 2019, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien signed a decision to certify the Tra Co Tra Co traditional festival as a national intangible cultural heritage. This is the pride of the entire Mong Cai people, deepening the value of sovereignty milestones and cultural milestones at the frontier.

June back, in the hearts of each people of the first land, each of the ancient Tra residents, the drums of the communal house are urging, urging, bringing the footsteps of people back to reunite, rediscover the values ​​of the roots ...