Phat Festival: Honoring Tradition and Wishing for Peaceful Year

Introduction

The Phat Festival of Hien Quan, a centuries-old traditional festival of the people in Hien Quan commune, Tam Nong district, Phu Tho province, has existed since the time of Lady Triệu and her sister. It is not only a chance for locals to showcase their martial spirit but also a place where they pray for a peaceful and prosperous year. However, this year’s festival was marred by disappointment as the crucial phat fighting event was canceled. This article will clarify the reasons behind this decision and highlight the importance of the festival, as well as discuss the challenges in preserving and developing it.

Main Content

History and Significance of the Phat Festival

The Phat Festival is held on the 12th and 13th days of the first lunar month, with the main event taking place on the 13th. The festival honors the martial spirit and pays tribute to two local patron deities: Princess Thieu Hoa and Duke Moc Trang. According to legend, Princess Thieu Hoa, a female general under Lady Triệu, created the phat fighting ritual to train soldiers. She carved large and small phat sticks from bamboo to be used by young villagers in competitions, symbolizing strength and valor.

Photo: Đinh Huy

Ceremonial and Social Aspects of the Festival

The ceremonial part of the festival is conducted with great solemnity, featuring rituals and offerings at the temple. The phat sticks are placed on the altar for worship, not to be fought over as usual. Locals and visitors attend the festival to wish for peace and prosperity. However, the phat fighting event, which is the highlight of the festival, was not held this year due to safety concerns and lack of resources.

Reasons Behind the Cancellation of the Phat Fighting Event

Mr. Bui Phuc Khanh, 75 years old, a resident of Hien Quan village now living in Viet Tri city, expressed his deep desire for the traditional festival to be fully restored. He recalled that even during wartime, villagers still organized phat fighting events, hoping for a peaceful and prosperous year. However, for the past seven years, the phat fighting event has been canceled, causing much regret among the people.

Mr. Tran Kim Tuyen, Secretary of the Hien Quan Commune Party Committee, stated that the local government is deeply concerned about the people’s wishes. However, organizing the phat fighting event requires coordination between the district, provincial levels, and social resources. Mr. Tuyen emphasized that the festival is not just for the people of Hien Quan but attracts many visitors. Therefore, its organization must ensure safety, have a scientific script, and appropriate infrastructure.

Photo: Đinh Huy

Solutions and Recommendations

Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Historical Science, suggested improving the festival’s management and organization to address shortcomings and inefficiencies. He recommended studying and rebuilding the festival’s script with suitable and effective organizational regulations. The Phat Festival should be listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage to preserve and promote its unique cultural value according to the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Conclusion

The Phat Festival is more than just a traditional celebration; it is a symbol of martial spirit and hope for a peaceful and prosperous year. Although the phat fighting event was not held this year, the interest and aspirations of the local people and the authorities demonstrate the potential for the festival’s revival and development. We hope that in the future, the festival will be organized safely and comprehensively, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the region’s unique cultural heritage.

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