Time: In Lunar February every year - Location: Muong Nhe District, Dien Bien Province.

Ha Nhi women prepare offerings for the offering tray in the ceremony. (Photo: Internet)

Among the life-cycle rituals, Ga Ma Thu Festival is the largest and most important one of Ha Nhi people community. They hold the Festival in the Lunar February every year to pray the forest god and ancestors to grant the New Year with favorable weather, good heal, and best lucks for all people in the village. The Festival is often held on the days of dragon, horse or tiger. In Ha Nhi people’s opinion, these are sacred and good days when gods agree to enjoy the ceremony and bless the villagers.

Ga Ma Thu Festival usually takes place over a period of three days with two main parts: the ceremony and the festival. The ceremony is held at the worshiping places of the village with several rituals such as worshiping at the village, worshiping of water god, forest god, wind god, land god, fire god… The festival consists of folk artistic performances and community party. During the Festival, all villagers stop working to go to each household to wish the new year. Children and adults enjoy folk songs, dances, and games like playing spinning tops, swinging, merry- go- round, two-stick game (Khang)..

Ga Ma Thu Festival was recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019./.

Dienbien.gov.vn