Reenactment of King Le Dai Hanh Plowing the Fields in the Tich Dien Doi Son Festival 2024

Amidst the festive atmosphere of the morning of February 16th (the 7th day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Wood Dragon), in Tien Son commune, Duy Tien town, Ha Nam province, a special traditional festival took place - the Tich Dien Doi Son Festival in 2024. The festival attracted the attention of a large number of local residents and visitors from all over to participate. The event was organized in the rice fields of Doi Tam village, Duy Tien town, a region known for its deep-rooted agricultural and cultural traditions.

The Tich Dien ceremony is a traditional ritual in which the king himself participates in plowing the fields to encourage the people to be diligent in farming and contribute to the development of agriculture. One of the memorable historical events occurred in the spring of 987, when King Le Dai Hanh and his officials plowed the fields in Doi Son and discovered a golden plough. Then in 988, they continued plowing in Ban Hai and found a silver plough. From then on, these fields were called Kim Ngan Dien, symbolizing luck and wealth.
 

The Tich Dien Festival begins with the procession of drums and the royal palanquin of King Le Dai Hanh from Long Doi Son Pagoda down the mountain, accompanied by the procession of Thanh Hoang village and the drum team of Doi Tam village. The procession then advances to the fields where King Le Dai Hanh once plowed at the beginning of the year, to encourage the local people to continue growing rice and developing agriculture.

The highlight of the festival is the performance of drum and dragon dances by the female drum team and dragon dance team of Doi Tam village. The sound of the drums resounds loudly, like blessings for a new year of favorable weather and abundant harvests.

After the ritual parts, an elderly person is chosen to embody the spirit of King Le Dai Hanh. This person must have a dignified demeanor, good health, experience in plowing, and be a member of a cultural family.

After completing the ritual of embodying the spirit of the king, the person portraying King Le Dai Hanh will don royal robes and a mask, then descend to the fields to carry out the plowing.

Following that, young men and women will sow the first seeds following the furrows plowed by King Le Dai Hanh, reenacting the glorious scene.

According to tradition, the king will plow three furrows, with the hope of a new year of favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity for the people.

The Tich Dien Doi Son Festival not only attracts a large number of people to participate and observe but also provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the joyful atmosphere, enhancing awareness of the local traditions and cultural values.
 
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