On September 28, Mr. Nguyen Long Bien, Vice Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee, sent a document to the departments and organizations under his management regarding the organization of the Kate festival in 2021 of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan who follow Brahmanism.
Specifically, in the face of the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic in the province, the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province requested local authorities where Brahman people live not to organize festival, cultural, sports, entertainment, etc. activities at Cham temples, towers, places of worship, clans, families, and public places during the festival.
To prevent the epidemic, people are required to perform Kate rituals only within the family; not to gather in large groups; not to organize parties and invite guests, including family members from other places; and to strictly and fully implement measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.
Every year, at the beginning of October (ie July of the Cham calendar), the Cham people following Brahmanism in Ninh Thuan province eagerly prepare for the Kate festival according to traditional customs. In 2017, the Kate festival was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Kate Festival is not only a joy for Cham people who follow Brahmanism but also one of the major festivals of ethnic groups in the province. The festival attracts a large number of visitors from all over the country to participate and learn about the unique culture of the Cham people.
Ninh Thuan currently has more than 53,700 Cham people following Brahmanism, living in the districts of Ninh Phuoc, Thuan Nam, Thuan Bac, Ninh Hai and Phan Rang - Thap Cham city. In recent years, the life of the Cham people in general and the Cham people following Brahmanism in particular has been constantly improved, so the organization of the Kate festival has also been organized more solemnly and prosperously.
