The holiday that shows Xạ Phang people’s bond with their livestock animals

ĐBP — Xạ Phang is one of 19 ethnic groups in Điện Biên, residing in the high mountain regions. Through the years of development and settlement, Xạ Phang people still managed to preserve many unique cultural traditions and customs. One of these is the Livestock New Year holiday – a holiday that symbolises the close bond between people and their animals, highlighting the importance of draft animals in the agricultural life of Xạ Phang people.

Xạ Phang people primarily live in the districts of Mường Chà, Tủa Chùa, Nậm Pồ, and Mường Nhé in Điện Biên. They boast a long-standing and rich culture. Take for example the Huổi Lèng village in Huổi Lèng Commune (Mường Chà District), it is home to 44 Xạ Phang households, with nearly 300 inhabitants. Toward the end of the year, when the harvest is over, the cassava gathered and the corn picked, the people here hold the Livestock New Year holiday, humorously referred to as the "birthday" of their cattle and buffaloes. On this day, both people and animals take a break, temporarily putting aside their daily work.

The Livestock New Year is celebrated annually on the 1st of the 10th lunar month. The festival is conducted quite simple. The most important task is likely the pounding of bánh giầy (glutinous rice cake), made from carefully selected round, newly harvested grains of glutinous rice, which is steamed and the paste pounded into cakes. When the cakes are smooth and still warm, Xạ Phang women divide them into two parts: one part is shaped into round cakes and placed on banana leaves to offer to their ancestors, while the other half is rolled into smaller balls and attached to the horns of the family’s cattle and buffaloes.

Xạ Phang people believe that on this day, their cattle and buffaloes are given priority to "celebrate the holiday" first, with specially prepared food. The men in the family cut grass, collect clean water, and mix it with salt to ensure the animals have the best meal on this special day.

This Livestock New Year reflects the close bond between the livestock animals and the farmers in general and Xạ Phang people in particular, demonstrating the important role of livestock in both the cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic lives of Xạ Phang ethnic group.

Huổi Lèng Village, where 100% of the population is Xa Phang, is known for its many unique customs.

The Livestock New Year holiday is an occasion where both people and animals get to rest.

It is also a time for families to reunite after long days of hard work.

To prepare for the Livestock New Year, Xạ Phang women select the best newly harvested glutinous rice, steam it, and pound it into bánh giầy.

The traditional pounding of bánh giầy, which will be offered to ancestors and to honour the family's cattle and buffaloes.

Bánh giầy, made from new rice, is shaped into balls and attached to the horns of the family's cattle and buffaloes, symbolising the people’s hope for the animals to stay healthy and maintain long-lasting ties with the family. 

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