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. 

Trần Nhâm
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Promoting credit growth to serve socio-economic development in 2026

    Promoting credit growth to serve socio-economic development in 2026

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - On July 31, Lê Thành Đô, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council, alongside Lê Văn Lương, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, co-chaired a working conference between the provincial People’s Committee and the banking sector on accelerating credit growth to serve socio-economic development in 2026.
  • 'Where troops serve, communities thrive

    Where troops serve, communities thrive

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - A vibrant atmosphere of community service has spread across many localities in Điện Biên province as officers and soldiers of Regiment 82, Division 355, Military Region 2, joined local Party committees, authorities, and residents in field exercises combined with community outreach activities. Roads have been improved, irrigation canals cleared, and rural landscapes made cleaner and more attractive, further reinforcing the cherished image of “Uncle Hồ’s soldiers” in the hearts of the people.
  • 'Initiatives made from sacred task performance

    Initiatives made from sacred task performance

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Điện Biên, a land marking so many heroic feats of the nation, continues to execute a sacred journey of gratitude: Rediscovering the identities of heroic martyrs. The 500-Day-and-Night Campaign is being deployed urgently with the highest determination from the entire political system.
  • 'Keeping essential goods flowing through rainy season

    Keeping essential goods flowing through rainy season

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - During the rainy season, landslides and transport disruptions remain a constant threat in many mountainous areas. Alongside disaster preparedness efforts, government agencies and businesses have proactively developed plans to stockpile and distribute essential goods tailored to local terrain and the practical needs of communities at risk of being isolated.
  • 'AI robot - “Digital assistant” elevating service quality for citizens

    AI robot - “Digital assistant” elevating service quality for citizens

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - At the Public Administrative Service Center of Điện Biên Phủ ward, Điện Biên province, the presence of an AI receptionist robot is creating a new appearance in receiving and processing administrative procedures. Beyond assisting citizens with information lookup and guiding procedural workflows, the AI robot contributes to reducing pressure on civil servants, elevating work efficiency, and step-by-step materializing the goal of building a modern, professional administration.
  • 'Where smiles return

    Where smiles return

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - There are smiles that were once forgotten due to deprivation, loss, and laborious days. Yet within the shared home of the Điện Biên provincial General Social Protection Center, full meals, words of encouragement, and daily care are bringing back smiles to the faces of young children and those who once endured many disadvantages. There, sharing is given through simple deeds, giving each person renewed faith and motivation to live, study, and grow.
  • 'Smart technologies enhance reservoir and dam safety during rainy season

    Smart technologies enhance reservoir and dam safety during rainy season

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As increasingly frequent and intense rainfall driven by climate change poses greater risks, traditional manual monitoring of reservoirs and dams has revealed limitations in both accuracy and continuity. In response, Điện Biên province has begun integrating digital technologies into reservoir management and operations to strengthen early warning capabilities and better protect infrastructure, property, and human lives.
  • 'Trade unions listen to workers’ voices

    Trade unions listen to workers’ voices

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Beyond caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers, trade unions at all levels across Điện Biên province are innovating their activities toward staying close to the grassroots, utilizing dialogue as a bridge to listen and accompany.
  • 'A journey of gratitude from heart

    A journey of gratitude from heart

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Across the entire country, the 500-day-and-night campaign to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of martyrs’ remains is being deployed as a special journey of gratitude.
  • 'Peace along border strip

    Peace along border strip

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Deep within the vast border forests, Sín Thầu commune holds a special position in managing and protecting territorial sovereignty and national border security.
  • 'Digital transformation reaches borderlands

    Digital transformation reaches borderlands

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In implementing Resolution No.57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the Điện Biên Border Guard Command has launched the initiative “Border guard soldiers drive digital transformation”. The model serves as a practical response to the “Digital literacy for all” movement while promoting the pioneering role of young border guards in equipping officers, soldiers, and border residents with essential digital skills.