Ha Nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival

The Ha Nhi ethnic group celebrate their new year festival (Tet) over two months earlier than the Kinh ethnic group, the nation’s largest ethnic group.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 2

This year the festival is being held between the second and fourth day of the 11th lunar month, or from Dec. 15 – 17 when locals typically finish the harvest season.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 3

From early in the morning women start to make water drift cake, an indispensable dish for the festival, as part of the first offering ritual of the new year.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 4

The delicacy is made using glutinous rice flour and then offered to the ancestors on the first day of the festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 5

Pork meat is a compulsory offering during the course of the three-day festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 6

Pig liver is also an important part of the offering. Providing the pig liver is both healthy and fresh, it signals that there is a new year of good harvest with happy families ahead.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 7

A Ha Nhi ethnic woman prepares offerings to the ancestors on the first day of the new year festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 8

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 9

Family members make Banh Day, a type of glutinous round rice cake, on the second day of the new year festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 10

The first batch of cake is made specifically to offer to the ancestors. Usually, families begin to offer best wishes for the new year to each other before enjoying entertainment activities on the second day of the festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 11

It is normal to see locals enjoying traditional folk games during the festive season.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 12

The administration of Muong Nhe district in Dien Bien province holds art performances to mark the occasion.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 13

A god worshipping ceremony at the local temple is a must before the start of the festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 14

Girls don beautiful costumes as they take part in a diverse range of activities throughout the festival.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 15

Girls enjoy playing games such as Nem Con, a game in which they must throw a sacred ball through a ring.

ha nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival picture 16

During the festival it is common for people to extend their best wishes and luck to others. Locals drop by each other’s house and treat their guests with feasts full of wine and meat.