Two festivals in Ha Noi recognized as national intangible cultural heritages

Illustration photo

The “Moc villages festival” (or the festival of five Mocvillages) is held annually in Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District and Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Ha Noi on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

The festival originated in Ke Moc, a residential area on the bank of To Lich River in the southwest of the Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) Citadel, now is Ha Noi. The area covered five villages comprising of Giap Nhat, Quan Nhan, Chinh Kinh, Cu Loc and Phung Khoang. 

Apart from worshiping rituals, various folk games are also performed during the festival, including human chess games, duck-catching competitions, earthen pot-breaking games, cockfighting, and wrestling. In the evening of the main festival day, there is also a firework display and Cheo folk-singing performance. The highlight of the festival is a religious ritual to honor the tutelary gods of the five villages. 

“The Sisterhood Celebration Ceremony between Phu My and Kieu Mai villages” is usually held in My Dinh 2 Ward, Nam Tu Liem district and Phuc Dien Ward, Bac Tu Liem district of Ha Noi.

The ancient villages of Phu My and Kieu Mai are adjacent, located on the opposite banks of the Nhue River. In the past, both villages belonged to Tu Liem district (Hanoi). Today, Phu My village is located in Nam Tu Liem district, while Kieu Mai village is in Bac Tu Liem district.

The villagers have always tried to embrace and preserve their traditional rituals and customs, including the sisterhood celebration ceremony./.

By Kim Anh