VOV.VN - The Aza festival is a long-standing practice of the Pa Co ethnic group in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue which bids farewell to the old year and welcomes the new one, while praying for favourable weather and bumper crops for the upcoming year.
After the harvest, villagers wait for the village chief to announce the date for the new rice celebration, which is called the Aza Koonh festival. The festival usually takes place during the 12th month of the lunar calendar and is organised once every five years.
Villagers gather to discuss preparations of offerings for the festival. Offerings tend to include fish and meat which are preserved by grilling, drying, or smoking.
During preparations, outsiders are often prohibited from entering the village in order to avoid bad luck or food spoilage.
Locals can enjoy various local wines during the festival.
The celebration tends to last several days and features traditional songs, dances, and many other cultural performances.
Musical instruments are played during the Aza Koonh festival.
On the designated day, families gather to invite "Mother Rice" to the storage area, marking the first ritual of the new rice celebration.
In 2019, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised the Aza Koonh festival of the Pa Co ethnic people as the national intangible cultural heritage.
The Aza Koonh festival represents a unique part of the cultural practices of the Pa Co ethnic group, with members of the community coming together to pray for a bumper crop and good health ahead in the new year.
