Kate festival 2016- one of the most expected events of the Cham community in Binh Thuan

The festival is organized yearly to promote traditional cultural characteristics of the Cham community in Binh Thuan province, thereby effectively boost tourism development. For that reason, ceremonial and festive events in this festival must be linked with each other to ensure the maintenance of traditional rituals, create a joyful atmosphere representing the solidarity of the ethnic groups living in Binh Thuan.

In the early morning of the first day (September 29), the Cham dignitaries from the communes of Ham Phu, Ham Tri and Ma Lam townlet (Ham Thuan Bac district) will gather at the Posha Inu tower. The ceremonial event to pray for peace (called Le Cau An) will be performed at the main tower in the afternoon of the same day with the participation of clans of Cham ethnic group. Along with that, there will be a series of interesting activities, such as: contests on offerings arrangement, Cham folk art performance in favour of tourists and the locals.In the following day (September 30), Cham dignitaries will also carry out some rituals as: palanquin processions, rites to take the costume of Po Sha Inu Goddess from the yard to the main tower, along with other traditional rituals, as follows: opening the main tower’s door, bathing the Linga-Yoni Altar, wearing costumes, worshipping in celebration of Kate festival in front of the main tower …

Local people and visitors coming to the Posha Inu Cham tower on that day will have a chance to join festive atmosphere when taking part in folk games, performances of Cham instruments and traditional craft. Especially, this year’s festival will have the performance of Cham art troupes and artisans from Tuy Phong and Bac Binh districts.

Phuong Lan (Source: Binh Thuan Newspaper)