Xỏ Nặm Phạ festival restored in Nghệ An

The Xỏ Nặm Phạ festival, a traditional rain prayer ritual of the Thai ethnic group, was recently restored in Khục Ính village, Châu Lộc commune, Nghệ An province. The event was organized by the Department of Culture of Ethnic Groups of Vietnam in coordination with the Nghệ An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the local commune authorities.

Meaning “asking for water from heaven” in the Thai language, the ritual reflects the community's historical reliance on nature for agriculture and survival. The ceremony involves traditional offerings, gongs, and ritualistic songs to pray for favorable weather, abundant water, and successful harvests. For the first time, the festival was staged to allow the public and tourists to observe the customs more closely.

Local officials noted that the restoration aims to preserve traditional cultural values and strengthen community bonds while opening new opportunities for cultural tourism in the region. The program included the participation of five artisans and 80 Thai students to ensure the transmission of these ancient customs to younger generations.