The Village Spirit Worship Ritual of the Thái Chà Nưa People

ĐBP – The Thái Chà Nưa people, part of the White Thái ethnic group, traditionally reside near water sources such as rivers and streams in Điện Biên Province. Over generations, they have cultivated and safeguarded various unique cultural traditions, with one of the most prominent being the ‘village spirit worship’ ritual. This ceremony is a profound cultural and spiritual practice, reflecting the strong bond between the Thái community and the spiritual world that pervades their everyday lives.

The village spirit worship ceremony is held by the stream, where the leader prepares offerings for the landowners, deities, and village spirits.

The village spirit worship ritual is performed at the end of the year, with the specific date determined by a mo (spiritual leader) based on the Thái calendar. The ceremony takes place by the stream located at the head of the village.

In the Thái Chà Nưa villages of Nậm Pồ District in Điện Biên Province, the spiritual leader informs households of the date, time, location, and required offerings. These offerings typically include a pair of carefully selected chickens (with the rooster displaying red feathers), pork parts (such as the head, tail, feet, and body), sticky rice, and rice wine.

On the day of the ritual, the spiritual leader and some villagers gather at the stream to prepare and cook these offerings. Once ready, the leader plants a ceremonial stick, known as ta leo, and begins the ritual.

According to Thái beliefs, every location is under the governance of deities and landowners. When significant events occur in the village—such as feasts, funerals, or house-building—it's essential to inform these deities, landowners, and village spirits. By doing so, the community seeks their permission and invites them to partake in the joys or sorrows of the village.

The ceremonial ‘ta leo’ is planted in the area where the ritual takes place.

The ritual itself is simple. The spiritual leader recites prayers to invite the landowners, deities, and village spirits to attend the ceremony and partake in the offerings. After presenting the food, the leader recounts the major and minor events that occurred in the village over the past year and asks the deities for blessings and protection.

Following the ceremony, the villagers, having received the deities' approval and blessings, gather to enjoy the food together. The offerings are laid out on banana leaves, and everyone eats by the stream, with strict rules prohibiting any of the food from being brought back to the village. During the meal, villagers make toasts to one another’s health and discuss matters of the village.

For the Thái Chà Nưa people, the village spirit worship ritual not only maintains the connection between daily life and the spiritual realm but also provides an opportunity for community members to come together, fostering unity and mutual support.

By Trần Nhâm
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