Some villages have experienced significant changes as a result of the urbanization process. A few years ago, many villages still had typical sceneries of a traditional Vietnamese village, including green paddy fields, green bamboo fences running along village roads and aged wells next to ancient houses. Yet, these lovely scenes are slowly disappearing these days. The Phong Le Ancient Village located in Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District, Da Nang is likely to face similar challenges in the future. Therefore, the village should take seriously warning signs that its traditional cultural heritage is under threat.
The Phong Le Village is the only one place in Viet Nam to host the Muc Dong Festival. Photo: Ong Van Sinh
It is high time for the city to conduct research into traditional cultural heritage of the Phong Le Village in terms of history, beliefs, customs, festivals, craft villages and clan culture in an attempt to preserve the village’s cultural heritage and pass it on as legacy to future generations.
The ancient village’s values
As the recollection of the village's seniors, the Phong Le Ancient Village was known as Da Ly Commune in the past.
According to the village’s elders, ancestors namely Nham Quy Cong, Muoi Quy Cong, and Lao Quy Cong founded this village. Other clans then settled down in the village included Ong, 5 clans of Ngo, 4 clans of Le, 2 clans of Tran, Phung, Nguyen, Vo, and Bui.
The first people who settled there were immigrants from the Thanh Nghe region and some native Cham people. The immigrants adopted the Vietnamese village model from the Thanh Nghe region for their new residential area so that their new village shared similarities with their original one in the Thanh Nghe region. Hence, their traditions, culture and customs are beliefs and practices that have developed over time, thereby shaping the formation of cultural heritage of the Phong Le Village.
Most notably, the Muc Dong Festival was held regularly until 1936, in the reign of Emperor Bao Dai. Then, after a 70-year absence, it was revived in 2007 in the village. The Muc Dong Festival is celebrated at the Shen-Nong Temple, which is typically devoted to Shen Nong. People in many parts of the country are worshipping this deity as he was given special honors and worshiped as the Vietnamese God of Agriculture.
The annual Shen-Nong worship event is held solemnly across the country. However, the Phong Le Village in Da Nang is the only one place in Viet Nam to hold the Muc Dong Festival.
The festival’s cultural vestiges, including the Dong hamlet and the Muc Dong temple, play a vital role in the spiritual life of local residents. The event honours the children who tend the water buffalos, and it is one of the city’s most important festivals.
According to legend, there was some grassland in the former Phong Le Village, now known as Phong Nam Village. A flock of ducks was taken to the grassland and their legs became stuck to the ground. From then, it was named the Than Grassland where the Gods were believed to come down from heaven and nobody dared to go there.
One day, water buffalos were lost in the grassland and a group of children went to find them and they set foot in this place. Fortunately, they were safe and they even played together excitedly. Ever since then, it has been believed that the Gods only allow children who keep buffalos into the area. The Than Grassland became known as the Dong hamlet, where buffalo boys and girls gathered together to play traditional games. The local villagers organized a festival exclusively for the children who tend the buffalos and this celebration has been passed down through the generations.
Following that is the Phong Le Ancestor Worship House, which is a place to worship the ancestors and descendants of about 30 clans that have contributed to founding the Phong Le Village. Despite the fact that this village is already divided into three small villages, representatives from all three villages’ major clans annually gather at the Phong Le Ancestor worship house to commemorate the death anniversary of their ancestors.
A Cham relic site has been found in the Phong Le Village. Archaeologists have conducted three excavations in 2011, 2012 and 2018 at the Phong Le Relic. Valuable finds at this site included a statue of Sinha, or lion, Garuda legendary bird's head, an elephant-shaped altar, pieces of unique decorative patterns, and fragments of bricks.
Most notable amongst the amazing discoveries is the round, large sized statue of Sinha which was decorated intricately, especially in the abdomen and head. This special artifact has been added to a rich collection of exhibits on display at the Da Nang-based Museum of Cham Sculptures. Till date, through the excavations, archaeologists have discovered 2 special architectural features. One is believed to be the main tower which features a ‘scared hole’ that serves the religious activities of the Cham people. Remnants of this type of architecture have been only discovered at the Cam Mit relic site in group 3, Hoa Phong Commune’s Cam Toai Dong Village, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, and at the Ponagar Cham Tower complex located in Khanh Hoa Province’s Nha Trang City.
The findings during three excavations clearly show that Phong Le Village and its surrounding areas are home to a complex of temples which play a particularly important role in the culture and history of the former Da Nang land, and Central Viet Nam as a whole.
Furthermore, there are religious relics in Phong Le hamlet such as: Am Linh, Bach Ma Thai Giam, Ba Giang, and Ong temples, all of which are related with the village's traditional beliefs.
Especially, the Phong Le land is the birthplace of national heroes, including legendary generals Ong Ich Khiem, and Ong Ich Duong. In terms of culinary culture, Phong Le has popular delicacies such as Phong Nam Thorn leaf cake, Quang Chau and Cam Le sesame dried cake.
With the current development trend, the rapid development of information technology has resulted in more beneficial cultural exchanges between countries all over the world. Furthermore, the risk of cultural breakdown and fading must be addressed.
The municipal government have made significant efforts to conserve the city’s cultural heritage in recent years. The awareness of all people in local communities about protecting and promoting their local cultural heritage has substantially increased. Worship places and cultural events have seen positive changes in the Phong Le Village, with worship facilities, like communal houses and temples becoming more beautiful, and festive activities becoming more exciting. Ceremonies and festivals are held throughout the year, creating a bustling and joyous environment in the village's cultural life.
Arousing pride in local cultural heritage
Despite conservation efforts, certain parts of the village’s cultural heritage are changing, deteriorating, or even disappearing.
In this context, it is critical for the city to focus not only on restoring the village’s relics to preserve their original designs, but also on preserving and promoting intangible cultural values. The best way to conserve and promote the village’s cultural heritage is to arouse in the villagers the most beautiful emotions and feelings of pride for their local culture as they play a vital role in safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage.
To achieve its long-term economic and social development goals, the city will focus on preserving and promoting its cultural heritage. High priority will be given to ensuring the harmonious connection between economic development and cultural or social development. Importance will be attached to protecting the environment, creating green space for urban areas, as well as promoting investments that build sound urban–rural linkages by implementing effective solutions to connect rural and urban areas, including the Phong Le Village. A livable city needs public spaces and traditional cultural heritage that contribute to shaping the identity and values of Da Nang while the city emerges an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists as it boasts amazing natural beauty, and full-service high-rise amenities, including resort-style luxury.
Reporting by M.Khue – Translating by T.An