A spiritual leader prepares for the "entering ritual"
The ceremony begins with the involvement of a spiritual leader, or "thầy cúng," who helps the family choose an auspicious day for the event. Once the date is set, the family prepares offerings and invites the priest to their home to perform the ritual. In the days leading up to the ceremony, relatives, neighbors, and close friends gather to assist with the preparations, creating a lively and communal atmosphere.
One of the most important elements in the offerings is “bánh giày” - a traditional rice cake made from glutinous rice and filled with either black sesame seeds or peanuts. The preparation of these cakes is a central part of the ceremony, and the atmosphere of pounding rice for the cakes is filled with excitement and energy.
The offerings for the ritual can vary depending on the preferences of the “thầy cúng”, as well as the family’s available resources. However, there are basic items that are essential for the "Giải Hạn" ceremony. The main altar is set up in the central hall of the house, beneath the ancestor’s shrine, where the thầy cúng will perform the ritual. The offerings typically include five bowls of uncooked rice, five cups of wine, fruit (usually five types), sweets, a bowl of water, betel leaves, and gold-paper money. Two red “bánh giày” plates are placed on either side, along with a bowl that contains a chicken egg, incense sticks, and various figures made from paper or twigs. These items are all part of the ritual tools used by the spiritual leader.
Ritual offerings
Additionally, a separate offering table is prepared with a meal that includes symbolic items such as sugarcane, banana plants, banana-leaf houses, banana boats, bridges, and flower boats. These items are symbolic of prosperity, protection, and good fortune.
An essential aspect of the ceremony is the display of a "tranh thờ" (a sacred painting), which is hung in front of the ancestor’s altar to invite the gods and spirits to witness the ritual. This is intended to drive away evil spirits, dispel misfortune, and bring blessings to the family.
The ritual itself consists of several key stages: “Nhập môn” (entering the ritual), “thỉnh tướng” (reporting to the ancestors and inviting them to receive the offerings), “bốc mệnh” (predicting the fate of family members, which includes an overview of their fortune, health, career, and any potential challenges or misfortunes), “trừ tà” (banishing evil spirits and clearing away bad luck), and “hành yên”, “lập phú” (praying for peace, prosperity, and good fortune). During the ceremony, the “thầy cúng” uses two wooden sticks to cast a divination to ask for blessings for the family. If the family is sincere and has a good ancestral spirit, the divination will be favorable, and the ceremony will proceed smoothly, ending with a positive outcome.
Some ritual tools owned by the "thầy cúng"
The spiritual leaders invited to conduct the "Giải Hạn" ceremony are individuals who are respected within the community for their deep understanding of cultural traditions. They are believed to have the ability to communicate with the spiritual realm, the spirits of ancestors, and even foresee potential misfortunes. Families often invite these spiritual leaders for various ceremonies, including "Giải Hạn," housewarming ceremonies, prayers for children, and blessings for health and wealth.
A sacred painting
During the ceremony, if there are elderly people or young children in the family, the “thầy cúng” will perform a ritual of tying red threads around their wrists. This is done with the hope that the elderly will remain strong and healthy, and that the children will grow up quickly and thrive.
Today, the "Giải Hạn" ritual is still actively maintained by the Tày and Nùng communities in Tuyên Quang. It remains a unique cultural practice, deeply rooted in spiritual beliefs, and continues to reflect the rich humanistic values and deep respect for ancestors that define these communities.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
