Ngu Hanh Long Thuong Lady Festival: Cultural identity of Southern region.
Taking place from 18 to 21 of the 1st lunar month, the Ngu Hanh Long Thuong Lady Festival in Can Giuoc District, Long An Province with activities, art rituals, folk performances, etc attracts tens of thousands of people from near and far coming worship and pray for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Following the footsteps of the Northern region residents to the South, the custom of worshiping the Ngu Hanh (Five Elements) appeared very early, associated with the formation and development of the Can Giuoc region. Therefore, in the minds of the community, Ngu Hanh Lady is not only the goddess who governs the natural elements but also the guardian deity who brings peace and happiness to the land and people here. The festival of Ngu Hanh Lady has entered the spiritual life of the people of Long Thuong, becoming an indispensable periodic cultural and spiritual activity.
Many visitors participate in the Ngu Hanh Long Thuong Lady Festival (Can Giuoc District)
In addition to worshiping the Lady, the festival is also an opportunity for the community to remember and pay tribute to the ancestors, heroes, and martyrs who have contributed to the homeland and the country, such as the Commander Nguyen Huu Tinh - the hero who stood up to recruit soldiers and participated in many battles against the invading French colonialists, including the attack on the Tay Duong fort (December 16, 1861).
A highlight of the Ngu Hanh Lady Festival is the intimate meal that worshipers often call "eating to receive the Lady's blessings" - a simple meal imbued with community spirit.
The meal is not simply to receive blessings but also an opportunity for everyone to sit together, regardless of class, social status, far or near, all are equal in a close space, chatting to understand each other better, thereby, tightening the village and neighborhood ties, opening up connections inside and outside the province.
"Every year I go to Ngu Hanh Long Thuong Lady temple to pray for peace for my family and a smooth business operation. Although there are many pilgrims coming to the temple, security and order are guaranteed, so we feel very secure" - said Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet Mai (Nhat Chanh commune, Ben Luc district).
Coming to Ngu Hanh Lady Festival in Long Thuong commune, visitors can enjoy many unique activities. Not only worshiping, visitors can also witness the peace-praying ceremony, ceremonial music, lion dance, flower offering, Dia Nang singing, etc especially the famous queer dancing.
Many visitors come to receive blessings
This year's Ngu Hanh Lady Festival falls on the weekend, so the number of visitors is quite large. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City) and her husband shared: "Almost every year, my husband and I come to the festival. In addition to worshiping and praying for peace and prosperity in the new year, we also enjoy the special singing and dancing program. The whole family loves the queer dancing performances by the female mediums."
Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Giuoc District - Dao Thi Ngoc Vui said that the Ngu Hanh Lady Temple is not only a physical evidence of our ancestors' expansion to the South on this land throughout its existence, but also a place to preserve a traditional festival. The festival is organized quite solemnly with rituals of folk art and performance. This is also an opportunity for people inside and outside the locality to meet, exchange, and strengthen solidarity in the community./.
By Thanh Nga - Translated by Q. Thien
