Recognize Golden Linga as a national treasure and celebrate Kate Festival 2024

Provincial leaders attended the opening ceremony

At the ceremony were the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Doan Anh Dung, theChairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee Bo Thi Xuan Linh, the Vice Chairwoman of the People's CouncilNguyen Thi Thuan Bich, and many leaders fromdepartments, branches and localities.

At the ceremony, the Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vo Thanh Huy, said: The golden Linga was found during an archaeological excavation at the Po Dam Cham Tower Relic Site (Lac Tri village, Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district) for serving the restoration and rehabilitation of some architectural features of the relic.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has made an exhibit certificate Golden Linga to submit to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the National Cultural Heritage Council for consideration and appraisal, then, submit to the Prime Minister for recognition as a national treasure. On January 18, 2024, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 73/QD-TTg on the 12th recognition of National Treasures 2023; in which 29 national treasures have been recognized, the golden Linga of Binh Thuan province was on the list.

The national treasure of the Golden Linga has a chronological age from the 8th-9th century. This unique, rare and original artifact contains historical background, cultural and aesthetic value; it is a symbol of the growth and development of all things and species. The golden Linga is very skillfully crafted, weighing 78.36 grams with a 90.4% pure gold content and 9.6% silver and copper remaining.

Speaking at the ceremony,Mr. Bui The Nhan, Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed that the national treasure of the golden Linga has great value for research and awareness of cultural and historical issues related to the Po Dam relic in particular and Cham culture in general. This is an important scientific document not only helpfulfor archaeology but also has great value for research on the history, culture, fine arts, religion, metallurgy, goldsmithing, etc.

Awardcertificates to individuals with achievements in archaeology, discovery and preservation of treasures.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the Provincial Museum to continue reviewing and selecting artifacts and antiques with typical, special and unique values ​​that meet all criteria for artifact documents and some following steps in order to preserve and honor the local cultural heritage values in particular and Vietnam in general.

The reception of the Prime Minister's decision on the recognition of national treasures has contributed to making this year's Kate Festival more solemn and exciting with the joy and jubilation of the Cham community in Binh Thuan. After the opening ceremony, the Kate Festival entered the most important ritual, which is the ceremony carrying the Posha Inu Goddess costume to the main tower and some following rituals, such as ritual to open the tower’ door; ritual of Linga-Yoni altar bathing; ritual to dress up Linga-Yoni altar; and the grand ceremony to worship and express the gratitude to the Posha Inu Goddess, other gods and ancestors.

Not only meeting the spiritual needs of the Cham Brahman people, the Kate Festival in 2024 attracts a large number of people and tourists to explore and enjoy the traditional culture. This year's Kate Festival took place in two days (October 1 and 2). This is the most unique folk festival of the Cham people following the Brahman religion in Binh Thuan to remember the gods while praying for mild weather, abundant crops and long, healthy lives. The Kate Festival deeply reflects the traditional folk cultural values ​​of the Cham community. With its important cultural and historical significance, the Kate Festival of the Cham people in Binh Thuan province is attached to the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.