Vibrant Kate festival of Cham ethnic people in southern Vietnam

Kate is the most important festival of the Cham ethnic people which is celebrated in October in the solar calendar. Photographed is a representative of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs offering gifts and extending greetings to the Cham ethnic community on the occasion of the traditional festival.

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Locals provide traditional ginger cakes as offerings at the temple.

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Ethnic girls prepare dances with fans in celebration of the festival.

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Kate is the Cham’s biggest festival of the year that commemorates the gods and kings with great merits. It also gives local ethnic people the chance to remember their ancestors and pray for peace, favourable weather, and bumper crop harvests.

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Joyfully activities are also being staged across the Cham people’s community in Binh Thuan province to mark the occasion.

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A ginger cake making competition is held in Tuy Phong district of Binh Thuan province.

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On behalf of the Cham ethnic community, the elder express their gratitude to their ancestors and pray for favourable weather, abundant crops, and prosperity.

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While the elder prepare offerings for the rituals and conduct traditional rites such as bathing and clothes changing for the Holy Mother, youngsters liven up the atmosphere with a performance of traditional songs and dances.

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Many activities introducing Cham culture such as pottery demonstrations, brocade weaving, and showcasing local food specialties are being held, creating a vibrant, colourful, and meaningful Kate festival.

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A costume procession is also held in Bac Binh district of Binh Thuan province. Kate is listed as one of the 15 largest festivals in Vietnam by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In 2022, the festival of the Cham was officially recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.