(VOVworld)- A program themed “A great family of Vietnamese ethnic groups and national construction and defence” has been held in the National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism on the outskirts of Hanoi. More than 200 representatives from 32 ethnic groups from 8 cities and provinces attended the event. Various activities on the theme of seas, islands, borders and national sovereignty were held.

The program opened with the ritual worshiping the god of the sea (Po Riayak) of the Cham fishermen of the central province of Ninh Thuan. 

To the sound of paranung drums and the Saranai clarinet, the master of the ritual, Mr. Ka-ing, is dancing with the gestures of rowing a boat to pray for the God of The sea for blessing of and protection for the fishermen. This is a traditional ritual of the Cham people. It often takes place in April or May, according to the Cham’s calendar. The ritual is attended by two important figures Maduen and Ka-ing, who are accompanied by a band of musicians.The ritual worshiping the god of the sea is still very popular among the Cham in Ninh Thuan province. Thuan Thi Hon lives in Bac Son commune, Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province: “Fishermen go to sea to earn a living. We worship the god of the sea and pray for good luck and a good catch. We pray for prosperity for our family”.

For Cham people in Bac Son commune, the recreation of this ritual gives them a chance to perform their traditional rites and express their love for national sea and islands. Thuan Thu is from Ninh Thuan province: “We need to be united. The recreation of the ritual aims to promote people’s love for nation’s seas and islands and further their understanding of the East Sea. We also want to tell our children about our ancestors’ fishing in the East Sea”.

As a record, a Vietnamese map, which is 680 square meters wide and pieced together by thousands of family photos, was on display at the festival. It will later be presented to soldiers and residents in the Truong Sa island district, bearing the signatures of representatives from ethnic groups and tourists. Luu San Van, a Co Lao native from Dong Van district, Ha Giang province was among the first to sign the map: “The program is of great significance for us because, attending this program, people from different ethnic groups in Vietnam have the opportunity to meet. Signing the map, we wanted to express our love for the homeland and unity in national construction and defense. We want to encourage soldiers to fulfill their task of defending the nation’s seas and islands”

During a gala featuring performances by various Vietnamese ethnic groups, artists from the Paco ethnic group in Ta Rut commune, Quang Tri province inspired the audience with their performance called “Solidarity”. Kray Suc, the choreographer of the performance said that with this show the Paco people call for unity in national construction and defense: “We remixed this old song, which was popular during the war of the late 19^th century. The unity of Vietnamese ethnic groups is now more important than ever. Through the songs, we hope to promote unity”

The festival also featured a traditional ceremony commemorating the sailors of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) flotilla, a ceremony of fishermen from central Danang city praying for rain and many other cultural and sporting events. They all formed part of Vietnam Family Day, June 28.