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

  • 'Sín Thầu: Guardians of forests

    Sín Thầu: Guardians of forests

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - “Forests and people rely on each other” is more than just a belief; it has become a deeply rooted awareness and sentiment in the daily lives of people in Sín Thầu. Driven by their love and responsibility for the mountains and forests, ethnic communities in the country’s westernmost region are joining hands to protect every patch of forest and preserve the vast green canopy.
  • 'Điện Biên sees opportunity in carbon credit market

    Điện Biên sees opportunity in carbon credit market

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - With its vast forest area, Điện Biên has significant potential to participate in the carbon credit market. Beyond their ecological value, the province’s forests could become a new source of financial resources, contributing to forest protection and restoration, improving local livelihoods and promoting the development of a green economy.
  • 'Consensus drives progress on solar power project

    Consensus drives progress on solar power project

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - The Điện Biên 1 Solar Power Plant Project is a large-scale energy development expected to inject vital resources into local socioeconomic growth. To ensure smooth implementation, alongside planning, investment, and execution tasks, mass mobilization and public outreach play a particularly vital role.
  • 'Safer choices: Điện Biên consumers put food safety first

    Safer choices: Điện Biên consumers put food safety first

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Ensuring food safety is becoming an increasingly important concern for people across Điện Biên province, particularly when it comes to choosing and consuming food on a daily basis. Consumers are gradually changing their buying habits, opting for fresh food with clear origins and choosing reputable businesses and suppliers.
  • 'Điện Biên paves way for “green tourism” development

    Điện Biên paves way for “green tourism” development

    TRAVEL -
    ĐBP - Điện Biên is progressively building its image as a green, friendly, and culturally rich destination. From vast fields, pineapple hills, and fruit orchards to villages steeped in traditional culture, all levels, sectors, and localities alongside residents have opened up pathways for green tourism development, contributing to generating livelihoods, elevating incomes, and preserving the indigenous values of the locality.
  • 'Footsteps heading to villages in Sín Thầu

    Footsteps heading to villages in Sín Thầu

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Following the merger of three communes (the former Sín Thầu, Leng Su Sìn, and Sen Thượng), the new Sín Thầu commune now spans a wider administrative territory, bringing an increased workload for cadres and higher demands.
  • 'Điện Biên assigns growth scenarios to departments, sectors, communes, wards, and units

    Điện Biên assigns growth scenarios to departments, sectors, communes, wards, and units

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - On August 18, the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee organized a conference to achieve consensus on assigning economic growth scenarios to provincial departments, sectors, communes, wards, and related units. The conference was conducted in a hybrid format, held in person at the provincial bridge point and connected online to 45 bridge points across communes and wards throughout the province.
  • 'Early detection, timely action against abuse of religious affairs

    Early detection, timely action against abuse of religious affairs

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The abuse of religious beliefs and religion can begin with information designed to exploit people’s faith and circumstances, before developing into efforts to recruit and influence their behavior. Early identification and a clear distinction between those who have been influenced and those who are exploiting religion are essential to preventing and addressing violations in accordance with the law.
  • 'Proactive “four on-the-spot” approach in landslide and flash flood-prone zones

    Proactive “four on-the-spot” approach in landslide and flash flood-prone zones

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides often develop rapidly and unpredictably, requiring not only immediate disaster responses but proactive early prevention. In Điện Biên province, the “four on-the-spot” motto is concretized by localities through reviewing high-risk points, formulating relocation plans, preparing forces and equipment, and issuing early warnings right from the grassroots level, thereby progressively enhancing proactive response capabilities and ensuring safety for residents in vulnerable areas.
  • 'Provincial Party Secretary Trần Tiến Dũng receives Bokeo delegation

    Provincial Party Secretary Trần Tiến Dũng receives Bokeo delegation

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On August 16, Trần Tiến Dũng, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee, and Head of the National Assembly Deputy Delegation of the province, paid a courtesy reception to a delegation from Bokeo province (Laos) led by Major General Penkham Boutchanpheng, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council.
  • 'Core force safeguarding national security

    Core force safeguarding national security

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Upholding the spirit of “serving the people,” the Điện Biên provincial Police consistently take the initiative to stay close to localities, the people, and the grassroots, synchronously deploying crime prevention and control measures, especially across highland and border communes.