Plowing ceremony in Binh Minh commune: A cultural feature, the beginning of a successful harvest season

The Tich Dien ceremony takes place in the 6th month (lunar calendar) every year, not only as a simple agricultural ritual, but also as a wish for a bountiful harvest season...

The ritual of starting the harvest season

The Tich Dien ceremony is a traditional agricultural ceremony that has existed for a long time, aiming to encourage agricultural production and start the new crop season. In Binh Minh commune, this ceremony is solemnly held in the field in front of Noi Temple - the place that was once considered the first stop of the National Ancestor and his children on their journey to expand the territory. This is a harmonious combination of spiritual elements and practical production, showing respect for farming, wishing for abundance and fullness...

The space where the Tich Dien Ceremony takes place in front of Noi Temple, Binh Minh Commune - a traditional ritual with great cultural significance. Photo: Thanh Dat

According to the elders in the village, unlike other rice growing areas, the Tich Dien Festival here is held by the people in June or July (lunar calendar) depending on the conditions. With the event of the two-level local government coming into operation, Binh Minh commune reported to the elders in the village asking to hold it at a new time - a new opportunity for the government and the people.

Accordingly, on July 5 (June 11 of the lunar calendar), the Tich Dien Ceremony officially took place in a solemn and exciting atmosphere. Mr. Nguyen Van Quan, the master of ceremonies this year, shared the profound meaning of the festival: "The Tich Dien Ceremony carries the hope of a bountiful harvest, peace and prosperity for the people. This is not only an agricultural ceremony, but also a cultural feature that connects people with nature and the land. The Tich Dien Ceremony shows gratitude and integration into nature in the work of our ancestors"...

Representatives of Binh Minh Commune People's Committee burn incense at Noi Temple before the Tich Dien Ceremony takes place. Photo: Thanh Dat

The ceremony of planting the pole and transplanting rice in the field in front of Noi Temple. Photo: Thanh Dat

Vivid picture of rice countryside

Right after the solemn ceremony at Noi Temple, the elders and people together went to the fields to perform the plowing and planting ritual. This is the most meaningful moment of the Tich Dien Ceremony. The pole was raised high in Noi Temple area - a symbol of luck, prosperity, and warding off evil spirits...

Rice planting - part of the Tich Dien ceremony. Photo: Thanh Dat

Next, the sound of drums and gongs echoed, the bustling sound of drums and gongs created a festive atmosphere like a call, urging people to work enthusiastically in production. Then came the ceremony of farmers going to the fields to plant rice - this is also the time when the whole Binh Minh commune sowed the winter-spring rice crop. The image of farmers diligently, skillfully, quickly planting each young green rice branch into the ground shows diligence, working spirit and belief in a bountiful harvest. Each branch of rice is a wish for growth and development...

People participate in rice planting - hoping for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life for the people. Photo: Thanh Dat

All these images blend together to create a vivid, vibrant picture of the rice-growing countryside, recreating ancient rituals, demonstrating the continuation of tradition, the spirit of hard work, and the aspiration for a prosperous and happy life of the people in the region.

It is valuable that, in the context of an increasingly developing society, the Tich Dien Ceremony in Binh Minh commune represents a bridge between the past and the present, and is an important source of spiritual motivation to help the locality preserve its cultural identity and increase solidarity and mutual love. The Tich Dien Ceremony also reminds each person of their responsibility to preserve and promote the precious heritage passed down by their ancestors. Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh (the person in charge of incense at Noi Temple) emotionally shared: "We preserve the Tich Dien Ceremony not only to commemorate our ancestors, but also to help our descendants understand that rice is food, the crystallization of culture, community spirit and the morality of drinking water and remembering its source."

Image of the Priest with the elders and people in the Tich Dien Ceremony. Photo: Thanh Dat

In particular, the Tich Dien Festival also plays an important role in promoting the image of traditional agriculture, attracting tourists, and creating opportunities for cultural tourism development. Maintaining and promoting traditional rituals such as the Tich Dien Festival not only preserves cultural heritage, but also contributes to building a civilized community rich in the identity of the rice civilization...

"The Tich Dien ceremony in Binh Minh commune is a traditional cultural feature with profound spiritual, agricultural and community significance. Through this ceremony, people show their respect to gods and ancestors; strengthen solidarity, educate the younger generation about the value of their roots and the spirit of labor; and at the same time, affirm the position of agriculture and agricultural culture in the development flow of the country. In particular, the Tich Dien ceremony taking place when the two-level local government comes into operation is a positive sign of the beginning of a prosperous era in Binh Minh commune," emphasized Secretary of the Binh Minh Commune Party Committee Nguyen Khanh Binh.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/le-tich-dien-tai-xa-binh-minh-net-van-hoa-coi-nguon-khoi-dau-vu-mua-thang-loi-708196.html