The annual Aza festival represents a unique part of the cultural practices of the Ta Oi ethnic group, with members of the community coming together to pray for a bumper crop and good health.
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The Aza festival is a long-standing practice among the Ta Oi ethnic community as they bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new one.
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The ceremony also allows them to pay respect and gratitude to the gods, whilst also praying for favourable weather conditions and bumper crops for the upcoming year.
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In each village among the community, local people will choose the day they consider as the most blessed on which to celebrate the festival.
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Offerings given at the Aza festival include rice, sticky rice, traditional cakes, roosters, pigs, ducks, goats, and plant seeds.
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Each household and family residing in the village holds their own worshipping ritual at home.
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Representatives of various clans go around a tree with their offerings after getting permission from local shamans.
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The Ta Oi people celebrate the Aza festival as they pray for a better New Year, good health, and for success for their children.
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