(VOVworld) – The Tich Dien New Year plowing festival in Doi Son commune, Duy Tien dictrict, Ha Nam province, is one of many ancient festivals associated with wet rice cultivation and agricultural development. In this New Rural Landscape segment, VOV looks at the significance of the land plowing festival in building new rural areas.

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan offers incense at the Tich Dien ritual in Doi Son commune

The annual plowing festival takes place on the 7^th day of the 1^st lunar month. Historical documents record that in 987 King Le Dai Hanh held a Tich Dien ritual in Doi areas of Ha Nam province. After a ritual to pray for favorable weather and bumper crops, the King went to the field to plow it for a new crop. The event was a milestone in Vietnam’s wet rice civilization as he was the first King to perform this ritual. The Tich Dien festival became a tradition solemnly upheld by the succeeding Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties.

The highlight of the festival is a ritual creating King Le Dai Hanh’s act of ploughing to begin the year. It symbolizes the King’s sharing of joys and sorrows with the peasants and encourages the people to work for prosperous, happy lives and a peaceful nation. The festival organizing board has to find the best person to portray the King. Tran Dinh Tien is Head of Duy Tien district’s Cultural and Information office. "We have to select people who have the majestic and deliberate appearance of a King. They should have done deeds for the community, have a fine relationship with the villagers, and be role models in production." Tien says.

The man to portrait the King is carefully selected

The Tich Dien festival has not only revitalized the image of a peaceful nation and bumper crop, but also aimed to honor the peasants and farm work, and encourage the building of new rural areas. Tran Xuan Loc, Secretary of the Ha Nam provincial Party Committee, says Doi Son commune has been selected to pilot the new rural model. Over the past 3 years, the commune has met 12 of 19 national criteria for new rural areas. An electric grid, roads, schools and healthcare centers have been built. Loc says: "The Tich Dien festival has become a cultural highlight in the beginning of the year. It has historical and modern values. The spring festival spirit has encouraged the farmers to increase agricultural production, and apply new technology in planting and husbandry. The new rural building program has improved the involvement of all people."

The Tich Dien festival encourages the younger generation to follow their ancestors in building a strong, prosperous nation.

Vinh Phong