The beautiful forest worship rituals of the Mong people of Tong Kim
For generations, the Mong people in Tong Kim village, Nghia Do commune, have maintained the forest worship ceremony at the beginning of the year. This ritual not only preserves a beautiful traditional culture but also contributes to raising awareness of forest protection, strengthening community bonds, and reinforcing solidarity within the village.
The village of Tong Kim has 170 households of the Mong ethnic group. From early morning, the villagers gathered at the sacred forest to prepare offerings to the forest spirit. The shaman and the villagers performed the ritual of carrying the offerings around the forest, informing the forest spirit of the date of the ceremony.
In the beliefs of the Hmong people in Tong Kim, the forest spirit plays a crucial role, as the forest not only nourishes but also protects their lives. Therefore, around the end of January and beginning of February of the lunar calendar each year, the shaman will choose an auspicious day to hold a ceremony to worship the forest, praying for favorable weather, a peaceful and prosperous life.
The ceremony takes place in the village's sacred forest, home to large, ancient trees. The shaman and respected community members prepare and arrange the offerings for the forest worship ritual.
The shaman, a respected figure in the community, along with the villagers, perform the ritual, praying for health, peace, and a bountiful harvest in the new year.
The forest worship ceremony of the Mong people in Tong Kim village not only has a community significance, contributing to raising awareness of forest conservation, but also serves as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and close ties among households, working together to protect the forest and the living environment.
Following the ceremony, forest rangers and villagers organized patrols of the forest, disseminating information about forest protection and development, thereby contributing to raising awareness of forest preservation and protection within the community.
The Hmong people in Tong Kim believe that the forest is the dwelling place of spirits, protecting and safeguarding the lives of the villagers; therefore, they do not cut down the forest and always uphold the awareness of preserving it.
Currently, Tong Kim village has over 40 hectares of natural forest and nearly 800 hectares of planted forest, providing a stable source of income for local households.
Thanks to forest protection and development, the people of Tong Kim village have gradually improved their quality of life, built spacious houses, and the rural landscape is becoming increasingly vibrant.
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