Style Phong Lệ Village Shepherd Festival hopes to herald year of good harvests
The Phong Lệ Village Shepherd Festival began in Hòa Châu Commune, Hòa Vang District, Đà Nẵng City on May 7. The two-day event is held to honour shepherd children and pray for a year of good weather, good harvests, prosperity and happiness for the villagers.
The Hòa Vang District People's Committee recreates the traditional culture of the ancient Phong Lệ Village, contributing to preserving and promote local historical heritage values.
Ngô Tất Hiền, Head of Phong Lệ Village, said: “The shepherd procession festival has existed for a long time, although it has gradually disappeared for a variety of reasons. We're hoping that this event goes well so that we can build on it better in the future. Everyone in the village is excited because the shepherd's festival was restored."
Lê Đức Hùng, Chairman of
Hòa Châu Commune People's Committee said that the successful restoration of the shepherd festival is an opportunity to honour the diverse cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people, while preserving sustainable values and vitality of the Phong Lệ community.
Villagers joined the procession to welcome Devine Farmer from spritual dunes to Phong Lệ Village's communal house. After that the different clans take turns coming to the pavilion to offer incense to bring good fortune to the village and then the procession which includes shepherds and their buffaloes, walk around Phong Lệ field for a whole day.
In order to restore this year's festival, Phong Lệ Village and the commune's schools are welcoming students as shepherds, starting from just ten years of age while the village elders preside over the festival.