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EN
On September 28th, Mr. Nguyen Long Bien, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee, sent a document to relevant departments and organizations regarding the organization of the 2021 Katê festival of the Cham people of Ninh Thuan who follow the Brahman religion.
Specifically, given the complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in the province, the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee requests that local authorities in areas with Brahman communities refrain from organizing festivals, cultural events, sports activities, entertainment, etc., at Cham temples, towers, places of worship, clans, and public places during the festival period.
To prevent the spread of the disease, people are requested to perform the Katê ritual only within their families; avoid large gatherings; refrain from organizing parties and inviting guests, including family members from other places; and strictly and fully implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
Every year, at the beginning of October (the 7th month of the Cham calendar), the Cham people who follow Brahmanism in Ninh Thuan province eagerly prepare for the Katê festival according to their traditional customs. In 2017, the Katê festival was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Katê Festival is not only a special joy for the Cham people who follow Brahmanism, but also one of the major festivals of the ethnic groups in the province. The festival attracts a large number of visitors from all over to participate and learn about the unique culture of the Cham people.
Ninh Thuan currently has over 53,700 Cham people who follow Brahmanism, concentrated in the districts of Ninh Phuoc, Thuan Nam, Thuan Bac, Ninh Hai, and the city of Phan Rang - Thap Cham. In recent years, the lives of the Cham people in general, and those who follow Brahmanism in particular, have continuously improved, so the Katê festival is also organized more solemnly and prosperously.
