The Kate Festival takes place at the beginning of the seventh lunar month of the Cham calendar (from October 5 to October 12 this year), bringing together Cham communities in Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, An Giang, and other localities to pay tribute to their deities Po Klong Garai, Po Rome, and Po Ina Nagar, the Mother Goddess of the Land.
A highlight of this year’s Kate Festival is the inaugural Bau Truc Cham Pottery Festival, which will take place from Saturday to Monday in Ninh Phuoc commune, Khanh Hoa province.
Dong Thi My Tien of Bau Truc pottery village explained what sets the village’s traditional craft apart, “Unlike conventional potters, Bau Truc artisans use neither pottery wheels nor molds. Instead, they shape each piece entirely by hand, moving skillfully around the clay as they work. With patience and craftsmanship, they turn clay into beautiful vases and decorative pottery of all shapes and sizes.”
"Cham pottery now features a wider range of designs, and most products are sold wholesale. During the Kate Festival, we step up production to meet the growing demand from visitors," Tien added.
At the Bau Truc Cham Pottery Cooperative, experienced artisans and novice potters are busy designing new products and preparing to welcome visitors. Director Phu Huu Minh Thuan said the Festival is an opportunity to promote the village's traditional pottery and introduce Cham culture to a wider audience.
"The Festival provides an opportunity for the Cham community to work together to preserve our traditional cultural values. Our cooperative takes part in community-based tourism by introducing visitors to the unique features of Cham culture," Thuan said.
This year’s Bau Truc Cham Pottery Festival will open with a ceremony at the temple dedicated to Po Klong Can, who is believed to have introduced pottery-making to the villagers. During the ceremony, people pray for peace, bountiful harvests, and the preservation of their craft.
The festivities will also include cultural performances, food fairs, displays of One Commune One Product (OCOP) products, and hands-on pottery-making experiences for visitors.
Che Hoang Thu Hao, Vice Chairwoman of the Ninh Phuoc communal People's Committee, said the aim of the Festival is to preserve and promote local pottery and Cham cultural heritage.
"The Festival is not only about showcasing pottery products but also sharing stories of culture, community, and traditions passed down through generations. We want to introduce Bau Truc Cham pottery to a wider market, strengthen the link between culture and tourism, boost sales, and create sustainable livelihoods for local artisans. We also want to inspire in the younger Cham generation pride and a passion for our traditional craft."
In 2022, UNESCO inscribed the Pottery-making Art of the Cham People on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This recognition was a source of pride for the Cham community and reminded them of the importance of passing down the tradition to younger generations.
Duong Thi Anh from the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stressed the crucial role of families and local communities in ensuring the craft’s survival. "Pottery-making skills continue to be passed down from generation to generation within Cham communities. Grandmothers teach mothers, and mothers teach their children, keeping the craft alive."
