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Festival and event

Festival and event

The "Dù su" ancestral worship ceremony of the White Hmong people.

The Dù Su ceremony of the White Hmong people in Dien Bien is an important traditional ritual, closely associated with the spiritual life and community activities of the Hmong people. In the Hmong language, "Dù" means to imprison, and "Su" refers to misfortune and bad luck. The Dù Su ceremony is held annually to ward off evil and pray for health, peace, and good fortune for the entire clan. In Dien Bien province, the Dù Su ceremony is organized by each clan, usually in July or September according to the Hmong calendar, depending on the customs of each locality. A typical example is the Vang clan in Hang Lia commune, Dien Bien Dong district (now Tia Dinh commune, Dien Bien province), where the ceremony is held on September 29th according to the Hmong calendar, at the head of the clan's house. This is a large-scale ceremony, bringing together hundreds of families from the clan living in various villages and locations. Preparations for the ceremony are meticulously carried out about a month in advance, including meetings to agree on offerings, assign tasks, and select shamans. During the ceremony, the clan leader holds a ceramic gourd used to hold the "Su," which has been passed down through generations. The ceremony involves four shamans, including a main shaman who acts as the lead shaman, communicating with the spirits. The ceremony takes place solemnly in the central hall of the clan leader's house, consisting of the main parts: offerings to ward off evil, offerings to pray for blessings and peace for the families, and the ritual of expelling the "Su," considered the most important part. After the ceremony concludes, the families of the clan celebrate together, expressing gratitude to their ancestors, elders, and shamans. At the same time, it reminds descendants to preserve traditions, unite, and help each other in life. The Dù Su ceremony takes place in one day, after which members of the clan observe taboos for the next three days according to traditional beliefs. This is not only a spiritual ritual but also an opportunity to strengthen clan bonds, consolidate community solidarity, and preserve the traditional cultural values ​​of the Hmong people. With these unique values, the White Hmong clan worship ceremony in Dien Bien has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage according to Decision No. 1403/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 1, 2023.