Mother Goddess worshippers, as well as those curious about the practice,can enjoy performances dedicated to the deities at a cultural festivalin the capital next month.
"It's a chance for followers toengage in the religious tradition of Mother Goddess worship," said headof the organising board Nguyen Khac Loi. "The festival will help build adossier to submit to UNESCO to recognise the Mother Goddesses worshipas an intangible cultural heritage of humankind."
According totradition, the universe is divided into four realms: Heaven, Earth,Ocean and Mountains/Forests. The Mother Goddesses control these realmswith the help of many gods and heroes. They protect people and bringthem good luck and strength to overcome misfortune.
To worshipthe goddesses, mediums enact trance rituals accompanied by dancing andchau van singing. These rituals usually take place at pagodas andtemples in a very solemn atmosphere; colorful offerings and flickeringcandles turn the sanctuaries into splendid stages.
The medium,usually a woman or a man disguised as a woman, changes character whenentered by each deity's spirit. Two to four assistants sit by the mediumto facilitate her frequent changes of clothes and accessories, whichcorrespond to these changing roles.
The cultural festival willtake place officially next month gathering performers in the capital andneighbouring provinces who come to show their talent and tribute to theimmortals, Loi said. During the festival, mediums will performdifferent sections of trance, an especially important ritual accompaningthe religion of Mother Goddesses worship.
Before the festival, a qualifying round will take place at several temples and pagodas in Hanoi to select the best performers.
The festival will take place on November 28-29 at the Culture – Friendship Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao street, Hanoi.-VNA
"It's a chance for followers toengage in the religious tradition of Mother Goddess worship," said headof the organising board Nguyen Khac Loi. "The festival will help build adossier to submit to UNESCO to recognise the Mother Goddesses worshipas an intangible cultural heritage of humankind."
According totradition, the universe is divided into four realms: Heaven, Earth,Ocean and Mountains/Forests. The Mother Goddesses control these realmswith the help of many gods and heroes. They protect people and bringthem good luck and strength to overcome misfortune.
To worshipthe goddesses, mediums enact trance rituals accompanied by dancing andchau van singing. These rituals usually take place at pagodas andtemples in a very solemn atmosphere; colorful offerings and flickeringcandles turn the sanctuaries into splendid stages.
The medium,usually a woman or a man disguised as a woman, changes character whenentered by each deity's spirit. Two to four assistants sit by the mediumto facilitate her frequent changes of clothes and accessories, whichcorrespond to these changing roles.
The cultural festival willtake place officially next month gathering performers in the capital andneighbouring provinces who come to show their talent and tribute to theimmortals, Loi said. During the festival, mediums will performdifferent sections of trance, an especially important ritual accompaningthe religion of Mother Goddesses worship.
Before the festival, a qualifying round will take place at several temples and pagodas in Hanoi to select the best performers.
The festival will take place on November 28-29 at the Culture – Friendship Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao street, Hanoi.-VNA
