Xen Ban rituals reenacted at Thuan Chau Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival 2026

As part of the Thuan Chau Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival 2026, Thuan Chau commune on July 3 morning reenacted the traditional Xen Ban, a traditional festival that embodies the distinctive cultural identity of the Thai ethnic people.

The reenactment of the Xen Ban Festival.

Xen Ban is a traditional folk belief ceremony of the Thai ethnic community. It is held to commemorate the ancestors who founded the hamlet, express gratitude to the guardian deities for protecting the local community, and pray for favourable weather, abundant harvests, peace, and prosperity.

The Xen ritual at Tu Sua Tau (the hamlet entrance).

At the commune park, the reenactment began with the Xen ritual at Tu Sua Tau, regarded as the hamlet's spiritual gateway at the hamlet's entrance where guardian deities are believed to reside and protect the community.

The Xen ritual at Tu Sua Nua (offering prayers at the sacred ancient tree at the end of the hamlet).

The ritual procession then moved to Tu Sua Nua, the site of a sacred ancient tree located at the end of the hamlet (Hua Ban). There, participants offered prayers asking the deities to continue safeguarding the hamlet, warding off evil spirits, bringing favourable weather, bumper crops, prosperity, and peace to the community.

A shaman performs the Ta Offering Ceremony.

Following the two rituals at the hamlet’s entrance, the most significant part of the festival, the Ta Offering Ceremony, was held to express reverence and gratitude to the mountain, stream, and earth deities for their protection. The ceremony also conveyed wishes for favourable weather, successful agricultural production, thriving livestock farming, good health, and a prosperous and happy life for all residents in the coming year.

The Panh Khuon (soul-tying) ritual is performed.

After the principal rituals were completed, the shamans and local residents returned to the Chau Sua House to perform the Panh Khuon Ceremony (the soul-tying ritual). According to Thai beliefs, after major ceremonial events, people perform this ritual to preserve their health, good fortune, and inner peace. It also marks the conclusion of the ceremonial part of Xen Ban Festival, symbolising spiritual fulfillment and community unity.

After the rituals are completed, locals join together in the traditional Xoe dance.

 

Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Maybe you are interested

Recent news

  • 'Son La preserves distinctive cultural heritage of ethnic minority communities

    Son La preserves distinctive cultural heritage of ethnic minority communities

    CULTURE -
    Alongside the 12 ethnic groups living in Son La, smaller ethnic communities such as the La Ha, Kho Mu, and Khang have enriched the province's vibrant cultural landscape with their unique traditions. Over time, many of their cultural practices faced the risk of disappearing. However, thanks to the dedication of local artisans, the collective efforts of their communities, and, most importantly, the practical support and practical solutions of authorities at all levels, the cultural heritage of these smaller ethnic groups is being preserved, safeguarded, and promoted.
  • 'Son La Social Security organises activities in response to Vietnam Health Insurance Day

    Son La Social Security organises activities in response to Vietnam Health Insurance Day

    SOCIETY -
    In response to Vietnam Health Insurance Day (July 1), the provincial Social Security and organisations supporting participant development on July 4 organised a launch ceremony for a communication campaign to provide information, answer questions, and offer consultations on health insurance policies for local residents. The event was held simultaneously at all local social security offices.
  • 'Provincial Political School set to meet Level-2 standards by 2030

    Provincial Political School set to meet Level-2 standards by 2030

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People's Council, and head of the working group of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board on the development of a standard political school, on July 3 chaired a meeting to review the implementation of tasks in the second quarter of 2026 and outline key priorities for the third quarter.
  • '200 public employees assigned to support national land database development

    200 public employees assigned to support national land database development

    SOCIETY -
    The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has issued a decision assigning 200 civil servants and public employees to directly assist commune- and ward-level People's Committees in implementing Plan No. 2959/KH-BNNMT-BCA jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Public Security on March 29, 2026 on completing the national land database.
  • 'Son La speeds up implementation of national target programme

    Son La speeds up implementation of national target programme

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    The provincial Steering Committee for the National Target Programme on New-style Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2026–2035 period, with Phase I spanning 2026–2030, convened a meeting on July 2. The event was chaired by Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, and head of the Steering Committee.
  • 'Son La Newspaper and Radio-Television launches SNEWS brand

    Son La Newspaper and Radio-Television launches SNEWS brand

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Son La Newspaper and Radio-Television on July 1 held a ceremony to launch its SNEWS brand. Attending the event were Dinh Thi Bich Thao, member of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee and head of the committee’s Board for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, along with leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
  • 'BIDV Premier priority banking lounge opens

    BIDV Premier priority banking lounge opens

    BUSINESS -
    The Son La branch of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on July 1 announced the establishment of its Priority Banking Department and inaugurated its BIDV Premier priority banking lounge, a dedicated service area for priority and high-net-worth clients.
  • '2026 job fair held in Chieng La commune

    2026 job fair held in Chieng La commune

    SOCIETY -
    The Centre for Archives, Employment and Meritorious Services under the Department of Home Affairs, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Chieng La commune, organised a job fair on June 29. The event drew the participation of Tinh Loi Garment Co., Ltd., Vietnam Coal and Minerals College, Japan-Vietnam Human Resources JSC, and 50 local workers in the commune.
Load more