Performance of "Then" - Ways of Relieving the Misfortunes among the Tay Ethnic Group in Chi Lang District, Lang Son Province

Abstract

This article introduces the Then, a kind of the age-old cultural activities and beliefs of the Tay ethnic group. Those who practice the Then work as both the “folk healers” and “folk artists”. The author finds a close relation between the Then and conceptions of destiny and misfortunes of the human beings. Based on these conceptions, the Tay people perform the Then in different ways to relieve their misfortunes. The paper describes the systematic 13 step cycle of the Then performance: ritual ceremonies, acting time and space. The close relationship of humans and nature and their livelihoods are accordingly reflected in the performance.