Fire Jumping Ritual of the Red Dao People in Yên Bái

What is the fire-jumping ritual of the Red Dao people in Yên Bái?

The fire-jumping ritual (also called jumping over glowing embers) is a unique ceremony of the Red Dao community living in the highland districts of Yên Bái such as Văn Yên, Lục Yên and Trấn Yên. It is not only a form of folk performance but also a spiritual rite deeply imbued with the cultural and belief identity of this ethnic group. For the Red Dao, jumping through fire is both a physical challenge and a form of communication with the spirit world.

Origin and context of the ceremony

According to the beliefs of the Red Dao, fire jumping is usually held on two main occasions. The first is during the cap sac ceremony (the coming-of-age ritual for men), the most important ritual in the life of a Dao person. The second is during rites to ward off misfortune and pray for peace for the household when the family meets with bad luck, or at the start of a new year with the wish to drive away evil spirits. The ritual is also held on the occasion of the community's spring festival.

The Red Dao believe that jumping over glowing embers helps wash away impurities, drive out evil spirits and give thanks to the deities who have protected the villagers and granted them a peaceful life. This is an occasion for the community to show solidarity and cohesion, and also a chance for younger generations to learn more about the traditions of their people.

What does the preparation ritual involve?

Before the official fire-jumping ritual takes place, the Red Dao must go through an elaborate process of preparation. The ritual master (thay mo) plays the central role in the whole ceremony. He is the one with deep knowledge of the chants and dances, and the ability to connect with the spirit world.

A large yard in front of a house or in the centre of the village is chosen as the venue. The villagers pile up a large heap of firewood, usually bamboo or assorted wood, into a mound of fairly wide diameter. When night falls, the fire is lit and kept burning until the embers glow evenly, forming a layer of red-hot coals spread across the yard.

While waiting for the embers to reach the right temperature, the ritual master performs the ceremony to the deities. He recites prayers in the ancient Dao language, inviting the guardian deities to come and bear witness. Those who take part in the fire jumping (usually adult men) must observe taboos for several days beforehand: they avoid spoiled food, abstain from sexual relations and keep their souls pure. The ritual master performs rites over them and draws talismans on their bodies so that they receive the support of the deities.

How does the ritual unfold?

When the embers have burned red and give off great heat, the ritual master is the first to step onto the bed of coals. He performs dancing movements, walking on the hot coals with confidence and agility. After that, the other participants step in one by one, dancing on the glowing red coals.

What is remarkable is that the fire jumpers seem not to be burned at all. They leap back and forth many times, and some even use their hands to fling clusters of glowing embers high into the air, creating spectacular displays. The atmosphere becomes lively with the sound of drums, gongs and the cheering of onlookers. Some participants even hold objects that symbolise weapons, such as wooden swords or knives, to drive away evil spirits.

The ritual can last from 30 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the scale and purpose of the ceremony. When the ritual master announces the end, the participants step out of the bed of embers one by one. Miraculously, many of them show no trace of burning on the skin of their feet afterwards.

Why are the fire jumpers not burned?

There are various explanations for the phenomenon of fire jumpers not being burned. From the spiritual point of view, the Red Dao believe that the deities and ancestors themselves have granted protection, creating an invisible layer around the body of the participant. That is why they can walk freely on the glowing embers without danger.

From a scientific perspective, this phenomenon can be explained by the Leidenfrost effect. When in contact with a very hot surface, water or sweat on the skin forms a thin layer of vapour that separates the skin directly from the hot surface. In addition, the fire jumpers usually move quickly, so the contact time is short and the heat does not have time to transfer into the body. The thick skin of the feet, cleaned and dried beforehand, is also a supporting factor.

Whichever explanation is given, the fire-jumping custom always holds an element of mystery and grandeur. Not everyone has enough courage and faith to step onto a bed of blazing embers.

What is its spiritual meaning and cultural value?

Fire jumping is not simply a performance or a test of physical strength. For the Red Dao, it is an act of belief with deep sacred meaning. The ritual expresses faith in the protection of the deities and affirms the close connection between people and the supernatural world. Overcoming the trial of fire is also proof of the purity of the soul and the strength of each individual's faith.

The ritual is also an occasion for the Red Dao community to reinforce its cultural identity and pass traditional values on to younger generations. Through fire jumping, the Dao express their aspiration for a life of warmth and plenty, in good health, with misfortune driven away. It is also a chance for members of the community to bond with one another, creating a distinctive cultural space that cannot be confused with that of any other ethnic group.

How is it preserved and promoted in modern life?

In the present context, the fire-jumping custom of the Red Dao faces the challenges of cultural erosion. The number of ritual masters with deep knowledge of the ceremony is dwindling, while younger generations have few opportunities to encounter and practise it. Many traditional cultural values are gradually being altered or forgotten.

In recent years, however, the authorities and the culture sector of Lào Cai province (before July 2025, Yên Bái province) have made many efforts to preserve and promote the value of this ritual. Fire jumping has been included in cultural and community tourism festivals in order to introduce it to domestic and foreign visitors. Folk artisans are given conditions to pass it on to younger generations. The recording and documentation of the chants and dances has also been stepped up to preserve them for generations to come.

The fire-jumping custom is a precious intangible cultural heritage of the Red Dao in particular and of the cultural treasury of Vietnam's ethnic peoples in general. Preserving this ritual not only helps safeguard the cultural identity of the ethnic group but also contributes to enriching the diverse cultural picture of the Northwest region.

Overview article on the topic: What does Vietnamese folk belief include?

A comparison table of the occasions, explanations and characteristics of the Red Dao fire-jumping custom in Yên Bái.