The folk games included pounding round glutinous rice cakes (banh day), catching catfish in a jar, fetching water for the hamlet, and dragon guarding eggs.
The round glutinous rice cake pounding contest drew five teams from Muong Bang, Muong Do, Muong Thai, Huy Tan, and Huy Bac communes. Each team prepared 5 kg of steamed glutinous rice and brought along necessary items such as pestles, mortars, eggs, and banana leaves. Each team selected four male members to take turns pounding rice, while the remaining female members shaped the cakes. Within 30 minutes, most teams completed the task, shaping and arranging the cakes on the leaves.
The catfish-catching contest required skills and precision. It saw the participation of nine teams from Nam Phong, Bac Phong, Sap Xa, Da Do, Tan Phong, Tuong Phong, Tuong Tien, and Tuong Ha communes, and Phu Yen town. Each team consisted of six members, divided into three groups of two. In each group, one person wrapped their arm around the other's shoulder, while both used their free hand to catch catfish in the jar. Each team had six minutes to complete the task, and the one with the most catfish caught won the contest.
The water-fetching contest brought together eight teams from Tan Lang, Muong Lang, Muong Coi, Huy Ha, Huy Tuong, Gia Phu, Tuong Phu, and Tuong Thuong communes. Each team consisted of five women, dressed in traditional ethnic attire. They demonstrated skills and agility as they fetched water, traveled a 10-meter distance, overcame obstacles, and filled bamboo tubes with water.
In the "dragon guarding eggs" contest, a traditional folk game for Mong men, participants showcased their strength and agility. The game involved the "egg thief" and the "egg guardian," where the latter must protect eggs in the nest. To keep the eggs safe, the guardian positions himself with both hands on the ground, their body nearly lying over the eggs (guarding them), and their legs extended behind within a 2-meter circle. They used swift leg movements to defend the nest and prevent the egg thief from stealing the eggs.
The game drew a large crowd of locals and visitors, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere for spectators.
The organisation of folk games at the fair aimed to preserve and promote local cultural values, while contributing to drawing tourists to the locality.
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