Cham traditions come alive at Kate Festival in Lam Dong province

Locals and visitors enjoy traditional Cham dances at the 2026 Kate Festival, held at the ancient Po Sah Inu Tower in Lam Dong province.

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The festival commences with a solemn procession of the sacred costume of Goddess Po Inu Nagar, revered by the Cham people as the Mother of the Land who taught them farming, weaving, and animal husbandry, toward the ancient tower complex.

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The Cham people solemnly carry ceremonial attire and offerings during the procession at the 2026 Kate Festival.

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The procession features flag bearers, performers, and hundreds of participants in traditional attire.

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A Cham artisan plays the Saranai trumpet, a traditional wind instrument heard throughout the festival.

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Ginang drums and Saranai trumpets provide the musical accompaniment for the procession.

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Cham dignitaries perform traditional rituals inside the Po Sah Inu Tower.

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A Cham dignitary performs a ritual at the Linga-Yoni altar as part of the traditional offering ceremony.

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Members of the Cham community offer prayers to deities and ancestors for peace and a bountiful harvest.

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Cham women prepare traditional cakes and offerings for the festival, helping to pass cultural practices on to future generations.

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Girls in traditional attire offer incense during the festival.

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A female visitor clasps her hands in a gesture of respect as she observes the Cham community’s spiritual practices.

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Visitors take photographs at the Po Sah Inu Tower during the 2026 Kate Festival.

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Graceful fan dances bring the 2026 Kate Festival to a close, celebrating the Cham community’s efforts to preserve and pass on its cultural heritage through generations.