Pa Di people maintain forest worship traditions in Lao Cai

The Pa Di ethnic community in Muong Khương, Lao Cai province, continues to practice the forest worship ritual, a tradition passed down through many generations. This ritual serves as both a religious ceremony to show respect to deities and a mechanism for community-based environmental protection.

In Pa Di culture, forests are viewed as vital spaces for survival, providing wood, food, and water. Spiritual beliefs hold that forest, tree, and stream deities protect the village, ensure crops, and provide peace. Consequently, communities establish sacred or forbidden forests where activities such as cutting trees, gathering wood, or hunting are strictly prohibited. These regulations are maintained through religious belief, self-awareness, and community supervision. The ritual has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, promoting a way of life that exists in harmony with nature.