VI
EN
Participating in this experience for the second time, freelance photographer Bui Nhut Thanh, currently living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, captured impressive moments, revealing cultural and spiritual perspectives on the lives of the local people.
The lion and dragon dancers, with their vibrant colors, weave through the streets, bringing a festive atmosphere filled with joy and excitement to the Lunar New Year.
The purification ceremony – a sacred ritual imbued with traditional colors.
The Quan De Temple Lion Dance Troupe in Tan Chau was established in 1982, embodying the long-standing cultural identity of An Giang province. Every year, a few days before Tet (Lunar New Year), the eye-opening ceremony is held as an important ritual, "opening the eyes" and breathing life into the lions, dragons, and lions performed here.
The "opening of the eyes" ritual originates from an ancient Chinese legend, imbued with deep spiritual significance. Traditionally, when artisans complete the lion dance, the creature's eyes are always left blank. Only after being taken to a temple or after a ceremony of offering incense before the ancestral altar are the eyes painted on with cinnabar wine. This "opening of the eyes" and "consecration" act is not only symbolic but also considered the final step in imbuing the creature with life, making it vibrant and sacred. After this sacred ceremony, the lion dance troupe will bring these "soul-infused" creatures to the community, conveying blessings, good fortune, and joy to every home in the joyful atmosphere of spring.
The eye-opening ceremony at Quan De Temple marks the beginning of a vibrant festival season, associated with beliefs in good fortune and prosperity.
"I'm not in the industry, so witnessing this was like learning something new," Thanh shared. The solemn rituals, accompanied by the lively sounds of drums, left a strong impression on the viewers.
"It felt like going back to childhood watching the lion dancers gracefully perform their skillful moves," Thanh said. The parade was organized in unison, attracting hundreds of locals and tourists along the town's main streets. From young children to adults, everyone cheered and waited for the lion dance procession to pass by.
The lion and dragon dancers, with their vibrant colors, weave through the streets, bringing a festive atmosphere filled with joy and excitement to the Lunar New Year.
On this occasion, Thanh managed to capture stunning images showcasing the artistic beauty of the occasion. The sound of the drums, the vibrant colors of the lion and dragon dances, and the innocent smiles of the people left an indelible impression on Thanh.
Quan Đế Temple – a space of spiritual and cultural significance.
Quan Đế Temple, also known as Ông Temple, is not only a place for consecration ceremonies but also a significant spiritual site in Tân Châu. Every year, people flock here to pray for a prosperous and peaceful new year. Besides its solemn rituals, Quan Đế Temple also preserves many traditional cultural values.
Built a long time ago, Quan De Temple is one of the must-see destinations when visiting Tan Chau. Every detail of the roof tiles and the horizontal plaques and couplets inside the temple exude an ancient and sacred atmosphere. Elderly people say that Quan De Temple is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of the unity and solidarity of the local people.
Quan Đế Temple – the site of the consecration ceremony – symbolizes the connection between spiritual beliefs and community culture in Tân Châu.
Lion and dragon dance culture – a heritage that needs to be preserved.
The sound of drums and lion dances have become an indispensable part of the cultural life during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) and other festivals in Vietnam. Besides creating a vibrant atmosphere, these dances also hold many symbolic values, wishing prosperity and peace for every household.
"I think this is a very unique cultural aspect that needs to be preserved and promoted," Thanh emphasized. Through his lens, he hopes to convey pride in traditional cultural values to the community, especially young people.
The resounding drumbeats and graceful lion dances are vivid evidence of the enduring beauty of Vietnamese culture.
Participating in the festival as a freelance photographer, Thanh not only simply captured images but also felt the connection between the people and their traditional culture. The vivid images of the opening ceremony and parade are not only a valuable asset for Thanh personally, but also a valuable source of information to promote Tan Chau's culture to domestic and international tourists.
Connecting cultures and communities
The eye-opening ceremony and the lion dances and parades at Quan De Temple not only hold spiritual significance but also provide an opportunity to connect the community and create a vibrant cultural exchange space. In the bustling atmosphere of the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the festival acts as an invisible thread, bridging the gap between people and between the present and tradition.
People eagerly gathered around the lion and dragon dance troupe to admire the skillful performances.
The land of Tan Chau, with its unique cultural values, promises to be an attractive destination for those who love and want to explore the beauty of Vietnamese culture. For Bui Nhut Thanh, trips like these are an endless source of inspiration, allowing him to continue his journey of capturing the beauty of his homeland through his photographs.
