(Muinetourism.vn) - In order to conserve and promote the traditional characteristics of Thay Thim palace festival (La Gi town), Binh Thuan recently has just suggested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognize it as the intangible cultural heritage of the nation.

 

(Thay Tim festival; photo: Nguyen Vu)

 

Dinh Thay Thim, which is literally translated as “Thay Thim Palace”, is actually a temple built over 130 years ago in Lagi town (Binh Thuan province) to worship a talent, kind-hearted hermit called Thay (The Wizard), who used magic to help indigent people, and his wife – Thim (The Aunt). Dinh Thay Thim festival, a traditional cultural folk festival annually organized in Thay Thim Palace is a cultural - historical event to commemorate merit and virtue of ancestors through the past 150 years. The festival includes many traditional rites, such as rite of “Nghinh Than” (Welcoming Gods), procession of bringing Decree and Certificate of Recognition of the relic or rite of “Thi thuc phat loc” (a kind of ceremonial offering that after it finished everybody can take “offerings” home for good luck). Apart from traditional rites, many cultural and sporting activities are also organized, such as performance of playing human chess (people take the place of chess pieces), dragon and lion dances, contest of making cake, carrying baskets to the sea, walking with a carrying pole full of fish, tug of war, mending fishing nets, exhibition of models describing the legend of Thay and Thim, traditional art performances and the inauguration of graves of Thay and Thim. As reported, each year Dinh Thay Thim festival attracts about 600.000 arrivals come to Thay Thim Palace to pay homage, offer incense, and furthermore combine their trip with tours of sightseeing and relaxation in La Gi town.

If this festival is recognized as the intangible cultural heritage of the nation, that will enhance the proud of the province I general and La Gi town in particular.

Nguyen Vu

Translated by Van Thao