Fire Dance

The fire jumping festival is one of the most unique and captivating festivals of the Pà Then people, an ethnic minority living in Tan Bac commune, Quang Binh district, Ha Giang province. The festival is usually held on the 16th of the lunar October every year, serving as an occasion for the people to pray for a bountiful harvest, prosperous and peaceful lives.

History and Origins:

The fire jumping festival of the Pà Then ethnic group has a long history, closely linked to the legend of the hero Pà Then. According to legend, Pà Then was a skilled hero who led the Pà Then people in fighting against foreign invaders and emerged victorious. After the victory, Pà Then taught the people how to jump over fire to express gratitude to the deities who had protected them.

Rituals and Offerings:

The fire jumping festival begins with ritualistic offerings. The village priests will present offerings to the deities, praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and national prosperity and peace. After the ritual offerings, the festive part will commence with various recreational activities such as traditional dances, singing, and folk games.

The fire jumping segment:

This is the most important and attractive part of the festival. The young men of the village will gather around a large fire, dancing, singing, and praying for the village's peace and a bountiful harvest. After the priests perform the rituals, the young men will take turns jumping over the glowing red charcoal fire, dancing, singing, and praying for the village's peace and a bountiful harvest.

Meaning:

The fire jumping festival is a unique cultural beauty of the Pà Then ethnic people, reflecting their belief in the spiritual world and praying for prosperity and security. The festival is also an occasion for the Pà Then people to demonstrate their unity, cohesion, and together preserve the cultural identity of their ethnic group.

The fire jumping festival is a captivating cultural tourism destination attracting visitors from both within and outside the country. If you have the opportunity to visit Ha Giang, be sure to experience this unique festival to appreciate the cultural beauty of the Pà Then ethnic people.

Note:

• The fire jumping festival is a spiritual ritual, so visitors need to respect the local culture and maintain general cleanliness when participating in the festival.
• It is advisable to dress modestly and respectfully when attending the festival.
• Avoid taking photos or filming without the permission of the local people.