Held annually in the second lunar month, Dong Sua Festival is a deeply rooted spiritual and cultural tradition of the Thai people in Kha Hamlet, Son La.

More than a ritual, it is a festival of unity - an expression of gratitude to the village founders and a prayer for favorable weather, abundant harvests, good health, and a prosperous year ahead.

Dong Sua Festival features two main ceremonies: one to honor the ancestral spirits who founded the village, and another to pay tribute to the forest guardian spirit.

The first ceremony takes place in the sacred forest of the village. Villagers prepare elaborate offerings, including one duck, one pig, eight chickens, two jars of rice wine, four drinking straws, two bottles of white wine, four bundles of incense, seven cups of wine, seven bowls of broth, 14 small bowls, seven plates, chopsticks, betel leaves, seven bowls of water, and the sacred garment of the forest guardian.

Each household contributes a pair of bracelets, a roll of white fabric, and vải khít (traditional patterned cloth). The entire village gathers at the shrine honoring the village founder and successive forest guardians. The thay mo (spiritual master) and the current forest guardian lead the rituals, calling on the deities to receive the offerings and bless the village with peace and prosperity.

The second ceremony is held at the home of the current forest guardian. The offerings include two chickens, two jars of rice wine, four drinking straws, one bowl of broth, one bowl of water, betel leaves, sticky rice served in two traditional bamboo containers (ép khảu), two wine cups, and sacred garments - all prepared meticulously by the family. These offerings symbolize the family’s hope for fortune and wellness for both their household and the entire community.

Between the rituals, a festive atmosphere fills the village with lively traditional games and cultural showcases. Activities include basket weaving contests, cut pieu embroidery, sticky rice wrapping, tung con (ball tossing), mua sap (bamboo pole dance), fish catching, and exhibitions of brocade products, agricultural specialties, and local cuisine. These attract not only villagers but also visitors eager to experience authentic ethnic traditions.

Quang Thi Nhat, head of Kha Hamlet, shared: “We hold the Dong Sua Festival to pray to the heavens for favorable weather, good crops, and peaceful, abundant lives. It’s also an occasion to honor our village’s founder and give people a chance to celebrate spring after a year of hard work. More importantly, the festival showcases and promotes the unique culture of the Thai people in Yen Chau to visitors.”

Dong Sua Festival is a treasured cultural heritage that continues to enrich the spiritual and communal life of the Thai ethnic people in Yen Chau and Son La.

Its blend of solemn rituals, joyful performances, traditional cuisine, and folk games makes it not only a meaningful spiritual event but also a distinctive cultural tourism product. For travelers exploring the Northwest, it is a captivating stop along the highland journey.

PV