The Ha Nhi people celebrate the traditional Tet of Ga Tho Tho
Ga Tho Tho is the traditional New Year of the Black Ha Nhi in the highlands of Bat Xat district, usually held in the November of the lunar calendar every year. This year, because it is a leap year, the Ha Nhi people celebrate Ga Tho Tho Tet earlier, from 22-25 November 2020 (ie October 8-10 of the lunar calendar).
The Ha Nhi families were busy slaughtering pigs to welcome the Ga Tho Tho Tet.
Pork is processed to make dishes dedicated to ancestors and gods.
Every year, after harvesting corn and rice, in the last days of the year, Ha Nhi people often hold a New Year's Day of Ga Tho Tho to summarize a year of agricultural production, this is also the occasion of families making offerings ancestors, give thanks to the gods and pray to the ancestors, the gods to bless the new year with a good harvest, good people and prosperity.
Ha Nhi women make shoes and cakes, an indispensable offering in Ga Tho Tho Tet.
Prepare dishes to be presented to the ancestor's altar.
Tet Ga Tho Tho usually takes place in 3 days. On the first day, Ha Nhi families often slaughter pigs for ancestors and gods. The owner will take heart, liver, and pork to process the offering. In addition to pork, other offerings are home-made products, including: thick cake, ginger tea, white rice, wine ...
The preparation of ancestral worshiping and worshiping ceremony is done by the man of the house with the meaning of giving thanks to the ancestors and praying for a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
After the ceremony, the offering is divided among family members to enjoy and the family rejoice over the Tet tray.
Tet Ga Tho Tho is also an opportunity for children to remember grandparents, parents, families in the clan giving gifts to each other to show their gratitude.
During the 3 days of Tet Ga Tho Tho, Ha Nhi people take a break from farming to visit and wish Tet.
