(VOVworld)- Quan Ho duet singing and folk games are always the main features of traditional festivals in Bac Ninh province. One of the attractive folk games in these festivals is running with a bag, known as Chay ro, which attracts a lot of players.

 

Running with a bag is most popular in Guot village, Que Vo district, Bac Ninh province. It is called Chay ro because Chay means running and Ro means a bag, which is made of sedge, or water hyacinth and sometimes used to contain rice. Ms Nho is a local in Guot village: “This type of bag is very popular among local people in the village because they use it to go to the market or to contain rice. In the game, the bag contains costumes of both men and women of different jobs including workers and soldiers and even traditional clothes of Kinh Bac people. Joining the game, the player run and disguise at the same time”.

The rule of the game is very simple. 8 or 10 people play the game and an equivalent number of bags are prepared. Upon a drum beat, the player run from the start line to the place of the bags and get one for him. The player then runs around a circle and at the same time dresses the clothes in the bag. Accompanied by drum beats, the game is getting more exciting with people running around a circle and hurriedly putting on different types of closes to become different characters. They are only allowed to put the bag on the ground when the drum beats stop. Nguyen Thi Dau is a member of the Chay Ro Club in Guot hamlet: “This game excites and makes everybody happy. Anyone can participate in the game”

The game surprises both the players and the audience because of the secret costumes in the bags. No one knows what type of clothes they will put on while running and what characters they will be. The winner will be the one who runs fastest and dresses most beautifully. Nguyen Quang Xep, Head of the Guot village says local people don’t know how long this game has been played in the village but it always the most exciting games in local traditional festivals: “We often organize this game during spring or traditional festivals. The game brings us joy. We all laugh and feel very happy”.

In the exciting atmosphere of the festival with drum beats, laughter and cheers of the audience, the game inspires both the players and the audience. It also demonstrates the players’ flexibility, patience, strength and cleverness. Nguyen Thi Nu is head of the Chay Ro club in Guot village: “I always want to preserve this game in our village. This game brings about happiness and joy to everyone. We forget our worry and feel excited when playing this game”.

Chay Ro game of Guot village has also been organized in many cultural and tourist festivals elsewhere in Vietnam. Since it was founded in 2010, Guot village’s Chay Ro club has participated in several festivals and cultural events in Bac Ninh province and Hanoi. Mr. Xep again:“We hope that the district and province will help to preserve this folk game and further promote it across Vietnam and overseas. We also hope to inspire young people to play and keep this game alive”.