Na Hau is an area located entirely within the Na Hau Nature Reserve, now in Tan Hop Commune, Lao Cai Province. Every year, at the end of January and the first 3 days of February of the lunar calendar, the Na Hau forest worship festival of the Mong ethnic group here is held to protect the forest and promote long-standing traditions.
Forest worship - a vivid symbol of the harmonious combination between nature conservation and promotion of traditional cultural values of the Mong community. This is the most important ritual of the year for the people here.
Na Hau Nature Reserve has a natural area of over 43,230 hectares, including over 30,528 hectares of forest. Located in the core area of the Reserve, the Mong people in Na Hau mainly cultivate rice and corn, so life still faces many difficulties. However, Na Hau people do not encroach on the forest. While forests in many places have been destroyed, in Na Hau thousands of hectares of primeval forest remain pristine, the old forest canopy is still layered, layered, and endlessly green.
The Na Hau forest worship festival begins with a procession of offerings to the forbidden forest, praying for favorable weather, economic development, forest protection, no deforestation, and no exploitation of forests. The unique and solemn rituals of the ceremony take place at the forest entrance, where there are many large ancient trees.
After completing the ritual of worshiping the Forest God, the people of the villages gathered under the sacred forest of their village to celebrate. Along with the ceremony, the people of Na Hau commune and neighboring communes immersed themselves in the joyful atmosphere with cultural performances and sports activities imbued with national identity...
After the festival is the custom of banning the forest for 3 days. Accordingly, the Mong Na Hau people abstain from eating “Forest Tet” for 3 days to thank the forest god. During these 3 days, everyone must absolutely follow the prescribed taboos such as not going into the forest to cut down green trees, not bringing green leaves from the forest home, not digging roots, breaking bamboo shoots…
The belief in worshipping the Forest God of the Mong people here has been passed down through many generations. The Forest Festival is associated with the regulations on forest protection, becoming a unique community cultural festival of the people here for many years. Thanks to the custom of worshipping the forest, people are always aware of protecting the forest. For many years, Na Hau forest has been well protected, without forest fires or illegal timber transportation. The roofs under the canopy of the old forest are a beautiful image of environmental friendliness in Na Hau commune.
In recent years, “Forest Tet” has also been considered as a year-end meeting of the village in forest protection work with the participation of village heads, commune officials and forest rangers. The implementation of conventions and village regulations on forest protection; the situation of production development, poverty reduction, security and order in the village, contributions, and state support are all discussed publicly during the 3 days of “Forest Tet”.
Mr. Giang A Quang, an active member of the Trung Tam Village Forest Protection Community Management Board, shared: Since becoming aware of nature conservation, Na Hau people have gradually changed their living habits. They do not cut down forest trees to build houses but instead use other materials. Forest protection patrols are carried out regularly, helping to promptly detect forest encroachment.
To sustainably preserve nature, the local government has oriented new livelihoods for the people. People are encouraged to move to live in concentrated areas, participate in economic development, grow trees such as plums, oranges, tangerines; build models for raising black chickens, sturgeon, reef snails, etc. Up to now, more than a dozen households have started building community tourism models, welcoming groups of visitors to visit Na Hau Nature Reserve and experience local culture.
Na Hau is not only an attractive destination with lush natural landscapes and rich biodiversity, but also a testament to the conservation of nature from indigenous cultural values. The beautiful natural landscape of Na Hau is a valuable asset of the community, an attractive destination for those who love nature. The Mong people in Na Hau are determined to protect and preserve precious resources for future generations.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/na-hau-bao-ton-thien-nhien-bang-gia-tri-van-hoa-post648666.html
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