Preserving the unique culture of the Cống ethnic group in northern Vietnam
The Cống people have a unique culture that has been preserved over generations. Due to their clustered settlement habits, the Cống people’s ethnic cultural identity remains intact. The Cống people value their spiritual life, and the Corn festival is the biggest religious ritual of the year. Whether the festival is big or small depends on the tray of offerings as well as the products displayed on the tray. According to shaman Chang Van San, no one knows exactly when the Corn festival began, but they only know that this ritual has been passed down from generation to generation. This is an opportunity for the Cống people to report to their ancestors what they have done during the year, thanking their ancestors and gods for blessing them with healthy children, good livestock farming, and good harvests. The festival is normally celebrated in the sixth lunar month every year when the rainy season begins. After the ritual ends, the homeowner thanks the shaman, and the shaman prays to the anc...
