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

  • 'Điện Biên to foster investment, trade, and tourism promotion activities

    Điện Biên to foster investment, trade, and tourism promotion activities

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - On the morning of February 23, Điện Biên provincial Party Secretary Trần Tiến Dũng and the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lê Văn Lương co-presided over a working session with the provincial Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center to review its operational status since establishment and determine its core focus for the coming period.
  • 'Helping popularize fragrance of Shan Tuyet tea

    Helping popularize fragrance of Shan Tuyet tea

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - During the final months of 2025, joy spread throughout the Shan Tuyet tea region of Tủa Chùa when the tea plants, which have been attached to many generations of residents, were officially granted the geographical indication “Tủa Chùa.”
  • 'Spring colors of Phiêng Lơi

    Spring colors of Phiêng Lơi

    CULTURE - SPORTS -
    ĐBP - Amidst the mountains of Điện Biên as they transform within a new rhythm of development, the Phiêng Lơi tourism cultural village in Điện Biên Phủ ward stands as a richly identity-filled highlight that is both rustic and peaceful yet full of vitality.
  • 'Traditional Tết customs of Black Thai people

    Traditional Tết customs of Black Thai people

    CULTURE - SPORTS -
    ĐBP - When the winter chill yields to the warm sunlight of early spring, the Northwestern mountains awaken. Across the ridges, slopes, and the porches of stilt houses, peach and plum blossoms burst into bloom, draping the vast landscape in a fresh, brilliant coat.
  • 'Điện Biên highland people joyfully celebrate spring and Tết

    Điện Biên highland people joyfully celebrate spring and Tết

    CULTURE - SPORTS -
    ĐBP - In the early days of 2026, amidst the blossoming of peach and plum flowers across the mountains, the ethnic communities of Điện Biên province are joyfully celebrating the Bính Ngọ Lunar New Year (Tết). These traditional cultural activities serve as a vessel for their faith and aspirations for a prosperous, happy, and peaceful new year.
  • 'Seconded officials well do assigned tasks

    Seconded officials well do assigned tasks

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The year 2025 marked the first year that Điện Biên province operated the two-tier local government model. The streamlining of the organizational apparatus came with very specific requirements that the system must operate smoothly, effectively, and efficiently to serve the people better.
  • 'Điện Biên further speeds up digital economy

    Điện Biên further speeds up digital economy

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Điện Biên province has identified digital transformation as a breakthrough solution for economic development, enhancing management capacity, reducing costs, and helping citizens and businesses access public services in the most convenient manner.
  • 'Tết of medical workers

    Tết of medical workers

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - While the streets buzz with the vibrant energy of spring and families gather for their year-end meals, those wearing white blouses remain diligent in their daily work.