TL;DR: Pút Tồng (Tet Nhay) is the most important ritual in the ancestral worship beliefs of the Red Dao people in Lào Cai, held at the beginning of the new year. The ritual is linked to the legend of Bàn Vương's help during a sea migration and is performed through 11 steps featuring distinctive dances, music, and incantations.
What is the Pút Tồng ritual?
Pút Tồng, also known as Tet Nhay (Jumping Tet), is a central ritual in the spiritual life of the Red Dao people in Lào Cai. In the Dao language, "Put" means to jump and "Tong" means together, so Pút Tồng both describes the main performance form of the ritual and refers to a worship ceremony to honor the souls of ancestors. It is not merely a festive occasion but a bond connecting the visible and invisible worlds, between the living and past generations.
This ritual was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2013, affirming its special cultural, historical, and scientific value within the heritage of Vietnam's ethnic minority communities.
Comparison table of ethnic groups by how they kept ancestral spirits during migration and the consequences.
| Ethnic group | How ancestral spirits were kept | Action when crossing the river | Result after arriving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Người Dao | In the arm | Did not cut off the arm to leave the ancestors behind | Set up an altar with a small statue and a sword |
| Người Hmông | In the arm | Did not cut off the arm to leave the ancestors behind | Set up an altar with a small statue and a sword |
| Người Giáy | In the flap of the shirt | Cut off the flap of the shirt, leaving the ancestors behind |
What are the origins and legends of the ritual?
The formation of Pút Tồng is linked to legends about the arduous migration journey of the Dao people. There are various versions, but all reflect the community's desire for survival and gratitude toward ancestors.
Legend of Preserving Ancestral Souls
One legend tells that during the migration into Vietnam due to drought, crop failure, and unrest, different groups had their own ways to protect ancestral souls. The Dao and Hmong kept ancestral souls in their arms, while the Giay kept them in their shirt flaps. When crossing a river, the Giay cut off their shirt flaps and left their ancestors behind. In contrast, the Dao and Hmong could not cut off their arms to abandon their ancestors. Therefore, after arriving at the new land, they set up altars with a small statue and a sword for worship.
Since then, every new year, the Dao people hold Pút Tồng with the meaning of "bathing" and cleansing the ancestors (the statue and sword), preparing for the new year. This is an occasion to express gratitude to previous generations and to pray for a good, prosperous new year for the whole lineage.
Why is there a legend about the sea voyage and the promise to Bàn Vương?
Another story recounts the sea migration of 12 Dao clans to Vietnam. After months adrift without reaching shore, the boat suddenly encountered a great storm with towering waves as if to sink everything. In dire straits, they prayed to Bàn Vương and their ancestors, promising that if they safely reached land, they would hold a thanksgiving ceremony. The prayer was answered, and since then the Dao have performed Pút Tồng to fulfill that promise.
This ritual carries multiple layers of meaning: remembering Bàn Vương's lifesaving grace in the past, training spirit soldiers to protect the family and clan, and seeking protection so that all members stay healthy and prosper in their work.
When and how is Tet Nhay celebrated?
When do the Red Dao hold Tet Nhay?
Red Dao people hold Pút Tồng in the early days of the new year according to the lunar calendar. The specific date is decided by the clan head based on customs and usually avoiding the clan's taboo days. This shows flexibility but also seriousness in maintaining traditional conventions.
Location and Role of the Clan Head
The ritual is usually held at the house of the clan head among Red Dao lineages. As the most important ritual in ancestral worship, preparations are made well in advance with care and seriousness. The clan head is the main organizer, including offerings and necessary props.
What offerings and props are used?
Main offerings include chicken, wine, rice, cakes, and other local products. Ritual equipment is carefully prepared, including worship paintings, talisman swords, priest costumes, flags, and various weapons for dances and ceremonies.
How is the 11-step ritual performed?
Pút Tồng consists of 11 continuous ritual steps. A special feature is that most worship ceremonies are performed through jumping and dancing movements. The dances are linked throughout the process, and prayers are almost "wrapped" into each dance step.
During the dance, participants constantly praise deities. Dance is used as a way to please the deities and express deep gratitude to ancestors and gods. Although it is a dance before deities, the Red Dao people perform with guidance from the "Ancestral Spirit" and "Master Spirit" in each step.
A notable feature is that dancing in Pút Tồng is usually performed only by men. This reflects the patriarchal social and family structure of the Red Dao. Priests and dance masters also set secret rules to protect the exclusive role of men in these important rituals.
What role do music and language play?
Instruments and Music
Music is an indispensable artistic element in Pút Tồng. Instruments include drums, gongs, and cymbals. The music does not follow a strict composition or pattern. Sometimes it is just rapid drumbeats without a specific rhythm, expressing different emotional states depending on the ritual's progression. This freedom creates a natural harmony between music and dance, making the Pút Tồng space lively and sacred.
Language and Incantations
The language in Pút Tồng mainly consists of the priest's murmuring incantations mixed with loud shouts from dancers. The combination of rising and falling sounds, drumbeats, and incantations creates a vibrant yet mysterious, sacred atmosphere, helping participants feel the presence of the spiritual world.
What is the symbolic meaning of the ritual?
What does the bridge between two worlds mean?
Pút Tồng is seen as a link between the yin and yang realms, between the living and the dead. It is a ritual to praise ancestors and deities to seek their care and protection. Through the ritual, Red Dao people express reverence and gratitude to the deceased and reinforce their belief that they are always supported.
Psychological and Social Impact
Practicing Pút Tồng brings great spiritual encouragement to the living, especially in times of loss and grief. When participating in the sacred space of the ritual, each individual finds comfort and faith in life with the support of the departed. This helps them overcome difficulties and strengthens community and clan bonds.
A Treasure of Folk Performing Arts
Pút Tồng integrates diverse folk performing arts, including dance, music, and language. Among these, dances are the dominant element creating the ritual's unique identity. Dance is not just entertainment but a means of communication between mortals and deities, guiding Red Dao people back to their strength, faith, and ethnic traditions.
How is Tet Nhay preserved today?
The Pút Tồng ritual is currently practiced actively and regularly by the Red Dao community. Its recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage has raised awareness of the ritual's value and enabled the community to implement more effective protection measures. Community consensus in nomination and commitment to protection is the most important factor, ensuring this cultural beauty is preserved for future generations.
Pút Tồng is not just a ritual but a living museum of the history, beliefs, and art of the Red Dao people, worthy of respect and dissemination in Vietnam's diverse cultural life.
