Sunday, 15:15, 02/02/2025

One-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual: facts and figures

VOV.VN - The bamboo tug-of-war festival in Huu Chap village of Hoa Long commune, Bac Ninh city, is considered one-of-a-kind due to several unique features compared to traditional tug-of-war games.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 1 — The traditional bamboo tug-of-war ritual of Huu Chap village is held annually on the fourth day of the first lunar month as a tribute to the five village guardian deities who contributed to the resistance against the Liang invaders in the sixth century.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 2 — Unlike regular tug-of-war games, where participants pull on a rope, the people of Huu Chap village use two fresh bamboo poles about 25-30 meters long and 5-6 cm in diameter each. This makes the game more challenging due to the bamboo’s stiffness and elasticity.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 3 — Legend has it that, the people of Huu Chap village were once renowned for their expertise in log pulling along the rivers, earning the trust and respect of wood-hauling guilds in the region. This deep connection to their trade is believed to have inspired the village’s bamboo tug-of-war ritual.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 4 — Beyond being a festive competition, this unique tradition holds profound cultural significance. It symbolizes community cohesion, the power of unity in labor and production, and the resilience of the people in overcoming natural challenges and foreign invasions throughout history.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 5 — To ensure the tug-of-war proceeds smoothly, the villagers also create two horizontal bars, symbolizing the East and West directions, which serve as fulcrum points for participants to grip while pulling.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 6 — The tug-of-war teams consist of strong young men from the village, and they are divided into two sides: East and West. Each team has 35 men aged 30-37, who are in good health and have no recent family mourning. Accompanying the competition are village elders playing gongs and drums, four flag bearers, and four referees responsible for overseeing the event.

one-of-a-kind bamboo tug-of-war ritual facts and figures picture 7 — The two teams compete in three rounds of tug-of-war, with villagers gathering around, cheering and encouraging them. During the third round, the crowd rushes in to help the East team win, believing that if the East triumphs, the village deity will bless them with a bountiful harvest.

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