Kate Festival of Cham ethnic minority people in Binh Thuan Province has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage under Decision No.776/QD-BVHTTDL issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
A ritual within Kate Festival of Cham ethnic people in Binh Thuan Province (Photo: VNA)
The Ministry asked the chairmen of People’s Committees at all levels in the localities featuring the intangible cultural heritage to conduct state management of the heritage in accordance with the law.
Kate is the oldest and most unique folk festival of Cham ethnic minority people in Binh Thuan Province, aiming to respect the gods and pray for a favourable weather and crops.
During the festival, Cham people from various provinces and cities return home to gather with their friends and relatives.
Over the past 15 years, Kate Festival has been restored by Binh Thuan Province at Po Sah Inu Tower and has become one of six festivals for tourism development, contributing to promoting the image and culture of the province to both domestic and international friends.
The festival features many traditional ceremonies such as a procession of the Goddess Po Inu Nagar - the Holy Mother of the Cham community in the Southern Central region, the opening ceremony of the main tower, the ritual of bathing the altar of Linga – Yoni, and the great ceremony at the main tower.
In addition, a wide variety of folk games will be held during the festival, including a stilt walking contest, gingerbread making, and a rice pounding contest.