Thousands of young men stampede to get lucky ball at festival

Thứ Năm, 01/03/2018, 13:48

Thousands of young men rushed to get a lucky ball, which is thought to bring prosperity to the family and village, during the Phet Hien Quan Festival onFebruary 28 in Hien Quan commune, Tam Nong district in Phu Tho province.

Thousands of young men rushed to get a lucky ball, which is thought to bring prosperity to the family and village, during the Phet Hien Quan Festival on March 1 in Hien Quan commune, Tam Nong district in Phu Tho province.

This is a festival to give tribute and honor the merit of Thieu Hoa, a female general and princess. It is said that Princess Thieu Hoa – Hien Quan came to Phuc Thanh pagoda when she was 16. Knowing that Trung Trac raised an army to start a revolution, Thieu Hoa gathered a group of 500 soldiers practicing and playing the game of throwing harpoons and came to Hat Mon to join the army of Hai Ba Trung.

She was given the title “Dong cung tuong quan” (General of the East Part) to lead the army to Luy Lau and fight To Dinh. When the enemy was defeated, Trung Vuong praised the generals but Thieu Hoa wasn’t rewarded to be the official in the court. However, she was asked to return to the village. Trung Vuong granted the Song Quan commune (current Hien Quan) the status of a hamlet under her rule.

A year later, Thieu Hoa passed away, and people built the temple to worship her. Trung Vuong granted her the title of “Princess supporting the nation” (Phu Quoc Cong Chua).

On the 12th and 13th of first lunar month, people organize Hoi Phet to pay tribute to her merit. In Hoi Phet Hien quan, after the offering in Thieu Hoa temple, the phet (a red ball) is brought to the fixed area.

On the way, the phet is covered by a parasol and the strong women surround it to protect it. Then it is put in a hole under the sand and thrown by a stake for people to rush to catch.

There are hundreds of strong men trying to catch it in the hope of having luck for their family and even village, so the competition of catching is stiff. The festival of catching Phet in Hien Quan attracts many people.

By Phung Nguyen