The northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang on February 21 celebrated the Long Tong (going to the field) festival and received a certificate recognizing the Tay ethnic ritual as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.Long Tong festival, together with Then singing – both are typical cultural features of the Tay ethnic minority group in the north, were added to the list of national intangible cultural heritage early this year.The festival opened at Pu Bao temple in Lam Binh district with the offering of trays of local specialties to gods to thank them for the crops and to ask for their blessings so local people can enjoy favorable weather conditions and have a comfortable and happy life in the New Year.After a shaman said prayers and performed rituals, Deputy Minister of Culture-Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien presented the heritage certificate to provincial officials.A Tich Dien (going to the field to plough) ceremony followed and then visitors were invited to participate in a wide range of cultural and sports activities including stilt walking, hooting with a bow and arrows, and “con” (cloth ball) throwing.Long Tong is also the biggest agricultural festival of the northern mountainous province and Viet Bac region (including six provinces of Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Ha Giang). (Nhan Dan – The People Feb 21)
