The Cha Mun Festival of the Thai ethnic minority group in Yen Thang Commune, Lang Chanh District, Thanh Hoa Province, has been added to the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritages in the category of traditional festivals, social customs, and beliefs, as announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
The performance of a part of Cha Mun Festival of the Black Thai people in Thanh Hoa Province. (Photo: Luong Tung)
The Cha Mun Festival is one of the most distinctive and representative folk religious festivals of the Black Thai ethnic minority people in Yen Thang Commune (Lang Chanh District, Thanh Hoa Province).
According to legend, in ancient times, the people in the terrestrial realm (Muong Lum) frequently suffered from diseases and illnesses with no medical cures available. To help the villagers, the Black Thai group sent representatives to Muong Troi (Heaven) to seek aid. Po Then, the ruler of Muong Troi, possessed the ability to create land, water, and all living beings, including humans.
Po Then, moved by the cry for help from the Muong Lum’s people, ordered the opening of the gates of heaven for his soldiers and divine healers to descend to the earthly realm to cure the people. After being saved by Po Then, the ancestors of the Black Thai sent Mo Mun, to Muong Troi to express their gratitude and learn the secrets of healing. After learning the healing techniques, Po Then instructed that after curing 120 people, a gratitude ceremony should be held for him.
Following this guidance, Mo Mun annually organised the Cha Mun Festival to thank Po Then and to pray for the health of the local people, abundant harvests, and happiness for all households.
The Cha Mun Festival is held in September and October of the lunar calendar. The Mo Chu (chief priest) selects the best date and invites people to the house of Luc May (a person healed by Mo Mun) for the festival. In gratitude for being cured, Luc May prepares offerings and, together with Mo Chu's family, organises the festival.
To carry out the rituals, Mo Chu invites 4 to 6 Mo Mun to assist with the ceremony. The Cha Mun Festival includes rituals to invite Po Then and the spirits of deceased Mo Mun, call back the souls of the sick to participate, welcome local leaders and guests, and organise games and performances.
The festival concludes by bidding farewell to Po Then and the spirits of Mo Mun, sending them back to Muong Troi and promising to meet again at the next edition of the festival.