Then ritual of the Tày, Nùng, Thái peoples

Northern Vietnam, Tày, Nùng, Thái, Rites led by Then, Tào and Pựt masters (Tày, Nùng, Thái)

When

According to the household's needs: cầu an and giải hạn at the start of the year, nàng hang on the occasion of Tết Trung thu (Mid-Autumn), cúng mụ on đầy tháng (first-month ceremony), thôi tang, cầu mùa, cầu tự, cấp sắc

Where the offerings are set

At the tín chủ (the person making the offering)'s house, outdoors, or before the Then altar at the Then master's house

Who makes the offering

The Then master (male Then, female Then), sometimes with an additional group of female dancers

Offerings

Steps

1. The Then master puts on ritual robes, arranges the offering tray, and prays before the Then altar
2. He begins to sing and plays the đàn tính (tính lute): the Then army sets out from Mường Đất up to Mường Trời
3. Passing through many gates and palaces, presenting offerings and stating the household's petitions

Northeast, Tày, Lạng Sơn, Rites led by Then, Tào and Pựt masters (Tày, Nùng, Thái)

When

The great lẩu Then thăng sắc ritual lasts three days, about once every three years depending on the master

Where the offerings are set

The Then master's house

Who makes the offering

The Then master together with fellow initiates in the Then lineage; the Tào master performs the cấp sắc (ordination rite)

Offerings

Steps

1. Announcing the ritual, welcoming the patron spirits of Then to witness the altar
2. Checking the offerings: counting the offerings presented
3. Phát tàng (clearing the way) for the troop of officers and soldiers to go up to the gates and palaces
4. Opening the lẩu, distributing the lộc (blessed offerings)
5. The Tào master grants the new hat and tools
6. On the night of the second day: Tẳng tưởng (welcoming the general) to descend and witness the ritual
7. On the third day: múa chầu, burning votive paper to give thanks

Things to avoid

• The Then master and fellow initiates eat vegetarian food for 7 or 21 days before the great ritual

Northwest, Tày, Văn Bàn, Lào Cai, Rites led by Then, Tào and Pựt masters (Tày, Nùng, Thái)

When

Three days and two nights

Where the offerings are set

On the stilt house, around the flower tray

Who makes the offering

Then master (singing with the đàn tính), thầy mất (singing with the khèn and pí lào), assistant masters

Offerings

Steps

1. On the first day the head of the household prepares everything
2. First night (tỏn tang): singing to open the way up to Mường trời
3. Singing and dancing Then around the flower offering
4. Second night: offering the savory trays, singing Then through 12 gates of the mandarins to Mường trời, presenting to the mandarin Nam Tào who comes down to witness the offering, until dawn of the third day

Northwest, Thái, bản Khổng Lào, Phong Thổ, Lai Châu, Rites led by Then, Tào and Pựt masters (Tày, Nùng, Thái)

When

The 10th day of the third lunar month (year 2025)

Where the offerings are set

The house of the Then

Who makes the offering

Then master; the lụ liệng and lụ hương (godchildren whose souls have been called back and illnesses cured by Then) make offerings of thanks

Steps

1. Cúng Then khai hội and thiêng hóa
2. Offering incense, cleansing the body and dispelling misfortune
3. Offering incense and making vows, invoking Then, blessing and praying for good fortune
4. Cúng Then cầu phúc and tạ ơn