The Tac Ka Coong festival, also known as the mountain god worship ceremony, has become an indispensable cultural highlight in the spiritual life of the Co Tu people. This year, the festival is being held at the Community Cultural Center of A Luoi district, attracting not only local people but also many tourists who come to experience the unique culture of the Co Tu people.

Giving thanks to the gods

Mr. Ho Van Xap, an 83-year-old elder who has spent his life in the Lam Dot mountains, shared about the Tac Ka Coong festival: “This festival has been around for a long time, since I was a boy, I saw the elders holding ceremonies to worship the mountain gods, river gods, praying for peace for the village. We believe that the mountain god is the one who has protected and blessed the village, helping us live in prosperity. Therefore, the Tac Ka Coong festival is an occasion to give thanks to the gods.”

Tac Ka Coong is a ritual to worship the mountain gods, forest gods, river gods, and deities who have protected the village from natural disasters, disease, and have helped ensure abundant harvests. For the Co Tu people, nature is a source of life, providing abundance for their fields, streams, and forests, supporting both humans and animals. Therefore, they place great importance on this ritual and spend a lot of time preparing it with deep respect.

Before the festival begins, the village elder organizes a meeting with clan leaders to discuss the organization, offerings to be made, and the distribution of tasks among the villagers. “It is not just a simple worship ceremony, Tac Ka Coong is also an opportunity for people to reflect on themselves, to ‘purify’ or cleanse any misfortune that might have been caused by the village's descendants,” Elder Xap explained.

The offerings include the best items the villagers have from the harvest, such as buffalo, chickens, sticky rice, and dishes made from fragrant sticky rice. The individuals offering these items are carefully selected. These are young men and women with pure hearts and graceful appearances, symbolizing the community's respect and devotion to the gods.

Special rituals

One of the highlights of the festival is the raising of the cây nêu (bamboo pole), a sacred symbol representing the strength and connection between humans and the gods. Elder Xap explained: “The bamboo pole is a symbol to connect with the gods, and it is also how we signal to everyone that the festival is about to begin. The bamboo pole must be erected straight and firmly to show respect to the gods. If the bamboo pole falls, it is considered an omen of bad luck.”

The bamboo pole is chosen from tall, strong tree trunks, carved with sacred patterns and decorated with colorful fabric strips to express the wishes for peace, happiness, and divine protection. When the bamboo pole is erected, the village elders collectively recite prayers, thanking the gods for their protection and asking for an abundant harvest in the coming year.

The offering trays are carefully arranged, featuring traditional dishes made from locally harvested ingredients like chicken, buffalo, pigs, and various types of sticky rice cakes. Ms. Ho Thi Na, a village member, shared about the offering ritual: “This is a ceremony that everyone values deeply. The offering tray symbolizes gratitude and a request for blessings from the gods. We choose young men and women who are physically and morally beautiful to present the offerings because we believe that kind-hearted and pure individuals will please the gods.”

Once the offering trays are placed on the Pa Ra table, the village elders and clan leaders conduct the ritual of presenting the offerings. Sincere prayers are recited, inviting the gods to witness and partake in the offerings. The freshest and best foods are placed on the table, symbolizing the village's devotion and gratitude.

When the worship rituals are completed, the festival transitions into a lively celebration with the traditional "tung tung za zá" dance. The Co Tu people join in the rhythm of gongs and drums, dancing with enthusiasm and unity. The "tung tung za zá" dance is a source of pride for the Co Tu people, with strong, vigorous movements representing strength, courage, and the resilient spirit of the entire community.

Local people, dressed in traditional attire with intricate patterns, blend into the festive atmosphere. They sing, dance, and hold hands in unity while passing down cultural values to the younger generations. This is an occasion for the Co Tu people to not only enjoy themselves and strengthen community bonds but also to reflect on their history, legends, and cultural heritage.

The Tac Ka Coong festival not only holds spiritual significance but also serves as an opportunity for the community to gather, share, and strengthen connections. In the future, A Luoi district plans to develop the Tac Ka Coong festival into a highlight of community tourism, showcasing the cultural beauty of the Co Tu people to both domestic and international visitors. Mrs. Le Thi Them, Head of the A Luoi District Department of Culture and Information, shared: “We want to preserve and promote the cultural values of the Co Tu people and other ethnic minorities in the area. The Tac Ka Coong festival is a precious cultural tradition that we are restoring, with the hope that visitors can come and experience the most authentic mountain culture".