Every spring, when the peach and plum blossoms bloom across the hills of Sa Pa, the Giáy ethnic people in Tả Van commune eagerly organize the Roóng Poọc Festival (the Festival of Going Down to the Fields) – one of the typical traditional festivals, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Mường Hoa valley community
More than just a harvest prayer ritual closely linked to agricultural production, the festival is also an opportunity for people to meet, socialize, strengthen community solidarity, and preserve the beautiful traditional cultural values passed down through generations.
The Roóng Poọc Festival is held on the first Dragon day after the full moon of the first lunar month each year. According to the Giáy people’s beliefs, this marks the beginning of a new planting season, signifying the transformation of nature after the traditional Tet holiday. Therefore, the festival holds special significance in the spiritual life of the community, expressing the aspiration for a new year of favorable weather, abundant harvests, and a prosperous and happy life.
From early morning, people from the villages and hamlets of Ta Van commune gathered at the festival grounds in the middle of the Muong Hoa valley. Dressed in vibrant traditional costumes, they brought meticulously prepared offerings such as five-colored sticky rice, boiled chicken, wine, traditional cakes, and many local products to offer to the gods and ancestors.
The ceremony was conducted solemnly with a harvest prayer ritual performed by the elders and shamans of the community. The prayers expressed hopes for peace, health, a bountiful harvest, thriving livestock, and a prosperous life for all families in the village. This is a beautiful folk belief reflecting the close relationship between people and nature, the land, and agricultural production.
A unique highlight of the festival is the ritual of throwing the “con” (a type of ball) through a circle suspended from a tall pole in the middle of the festival grounds. According to folk beliefs, throwing the ball through the hoop symbolizes the harmony of heaven and earth, the balance of yin and yang, bringing good fortune and blessings in the new year. This ritual not only holds profound spiritual significance but also reflects the aspirations for growth and prosperity of the highland agricultural community.
Following the ceremony, the festive atmosphere is enlivened by many attractive folk cultural and sporting activities. Traditional games such as throwing the ball, tug-of-war, stick pushing, stilt walking, crossbow shooting, plowing competitions, and blindfolded goat catching attract a large number of locals and tourists. Cheers and shouts of encouragement, along with the sounds of flutes and drums, create a joyful and vibrant atmosphere that permeates the villages.
Besides the folk games, traditional cultural performances by the local people also leave a lasting impression on visitors. The folk songs and traditional dances of the Giáy people are vividly recreated, contributing to introducing the unique cultural values of the ethnic communities of Sa Pa to domestic and international friends.
In recent years, along with the development of community tourism in Tả Van, the Roóng Poọc Festival has increasingly become a highlight attracting tourists every spring. Many domestic and international tourists choose to come to Tả Van to experience the traditional festival atmosphere, learn about the customs and traditions of the Giáy people, and explore the beauty of the Mường Hoa Valley – one of the famous destinations of the Sa Pa National Tourist Area.
Maintaining and promoting the value of the Roóng Poọc Festival not only contributes to preserving the intangible cultural heritage of the Giáy people but also creates momentum to promote cultural tourism and community tourism in the locality. This is an important direction to connect the preservation of traditional culture with sustainable socio-economic development, while promoting the image of Sa Pa in particular and Lao Cai in general to a wide range of tourists.
Amidst the majestic landscape of the Northwest mountains, the Roóng Poọc Festival in Ta Van is still preserved as a distinctive cultural feature of the Giáy people. Traditional rituals, folk games, and humanistic values passed down through generations have contributed to the enduring vitality of the festival, making it an attractive cultural destination every spring in Sa Pa.
Đỗ Hoa
