Ninh Thuan is preparing to hold the Kate festival of the Cham people

The 2023 Kate Festival of the Cham people following Brahmanism in Ninh Thuan province will be held on October 13, 14, 15

Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee said that the 2023 Kate Festival of Cham people following Brahmanism will be held on October 13, 14 and 15, 2023.

The main ceremony was held on the morning of October 14 at the Cham temple and tower areas. Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee assigned departments, branches and localities to coordinate and create favorable conditions for the Cham Brahmanism Dignitary Council of the province; in charge of Cham temple and tower areas; Dignitaries, officials and followers of Brahmanism in the province will organize the 2023 Kate festival joyfully, safely and in accordance with regulations.

Kate Festival - a unique cultural feature of the Cham people. Photo: Ho Dang Khoa

Kate Festival is an important part of the intangible cultural heritage treasure of the Cham people; reflects many aspects of culture, customs, beliefs, religion, and art related to the activities and economic - cultural - social life of the Cham people.

Kate is the largest and most meaningful festival, affecting many aspects of spirituality, belief, religion, and emotions of the entire community. The festival is an integral part of traditional Cham culture bearing the identity and imprint of Wet Rice Civilization.

The annual Kate festival starts from the end of June in the Cham calendar and lasts until the middle of July in the Cham calendar (around September and October of the solar calendar) at temples, towers, and Cham Brahmanism villages.

The Kate Festival first takes place at temples, towers, village houses, and the houses of the Elder Monks and finally in families in the community with religious rituals and beliefs according to the long-standing customs and traditions of the Cham Brahmanism.

The purpose is to commemorate and express the community's gratitude to the kings, gods, ancestors, and grandparents who have blessed and sustained the Cham people in life and business.

The special thing about the Kate Festival is that it attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to participate in the festival; Not only the Cham community (regardless of religion) inside and outside the province but also people of other ethnic groups come to participate in the Kate Festival.

On April 4, 2022, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 776/QD-BVHTTDL to put "Kate Festival of Cham people in Binh Thuan province" into the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Source: congthuong.vn