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Gióng festival of Phù Đổng and Sóc temples
  • Manage No PI00004949
    Country Vietnam
    ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events
Description Saint Gióng also known as Phù Đổng Sky King in historical literature is a legendary hero of the ancient Vietnamese. Many centuries ago, Saint Gióng festival of Phù Đổng village – his homeland - was ranked as the most attractive one in the Northern Delta. It attracts tens of thousands of people from everywhere to attend thanks to its performing match like a battle that reenacts the national hero’s victory. Gióng festival takes place from the 6th to the 12th day of the fourth lunar month, mobilizing hundreds of village male teenagers who act phù giá (assisstants) in an elite troop. On the 6th day of the fourth lunar month, those who act generals have to be launched in front of the Sky King, and then gather at Phù Đổng temple where they officially enter the time and space of the legend. A ritual of sacrifice is one of the most important practices of the festival at Sky King Temple as it is believed that sacrifice symbolizes the community’s respect dedicated to the holy Saint. It is followed by the ritual of water procession performed by the generals of the troop, which implies that sacred water taken from Mẫu Temple is used to bathe the weapon. The chess-playing ritual also known as the battle ritual is the central activity of Gióng festival of Phù Đổng temple and it is practiced in the form of a grand performance.
Place Phù Đổng Commune in Gia Lâm District and Phù Linh Commune in Sóc Sơn District, Hà Nội City File Size -
Definition - File Format JPG
Copyright Viet Nam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS) -

Information source
ICHCAP(Minyung Jung)
https://www.unesco-ichcap.org

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