Red Dao ethnic people’s festival to pray for bumper crop
(VOVWORLD) - Khoi Kem, a festival held every three years during the first lunar month in the northen Yen Bai province, represents a unique cultural practice of the Red Dao ethnic group as they pray for a bumper crop.
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| The shaman and locals prepare all necessary items for the crop-praying festival. |
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| Singing and dancing before the rituals begin. |
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| Villagers cook traditional dishes to offer to deities and ancestors. |
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| The ritual takes place several weeks ahead of the rice harvesting season. A respectful shaman chooses a good day for all families in the village to celebrate the festival together. |
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| On behalf of the entire family, the shaman reads a prayer to thank the Rice Genie and invite the ancestors home to share the joy over a good crop. |
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| The festival aims to show respect to the ancestors who taught the local people rice growing skills. |
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| Locals prepare offerings to the Genies. |
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| Various traditional practices have been passed down from generation to generation. |
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| During the event, the Dao people pay tribute to their ancestors while the shaman helps the family chase away evil spirits and bad luck. |
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| This is one of the rituals showcasing the strong agricultural belief of the Red Dao ethnic group in Yen Bai province. |