Researching on “Ha Dien” sacrification ritual through sino-nom sources: The case of worshiping spirit in Phu Tho Province

Abstract

The "Ha dien" ceremony is a ritual and a stage in the agricultural production process of the Vietnamese village community, involving the participation of most villagers. This ceremony plays a significant role in agricultural rituals in many villages, praying for favorable weather conditions and bountiful harvests. The meaning of the "Ha dien" worship ritual demonstrates how closely humans are related to the natural world. This event is also a historical cultural and religious activity of the people in Phu Tho province in the past. The ritual typically takes place in the 5th or 6th month of the lunar calendar. The offerings consist of agricultural products characteristic of the local area. The ceremony is usually held at the communal house.Through the collection of Sino-Nom ritual texts from Phu Tho province stored at the Institute of Sino-Nom Studies, we survey and study the "Ha dien" offering ritual to understand the traditional agricultural beliefs and practices, which are a cultural activity of ancient villages reflecting the people's aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous life.