The Giao sacrifice ceremony just took place solemnly at Nam Giao platform. Nam Giao Festival (ceremony in honour of the sky and earth) highlights humanity values and expressing aspiration for a peaceful country and happy people and favourable rain and wind.
The ceremony includes 2 parts: The King leaves his palace for Nam Giao Stage and the offering rituals at the Nam Giao Stage. In the Nam Giao Festival, some important ceremonies were re-shown: incense offering, pearl and silk offering, sacrifices and celebration words reading…
Towards the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Ha Noi, the Nam Giao offering ceremony mobilized the participation of 1,000 people, 160 of whom were old people from 8 typical villages in the province, 1,000 lanterns were lighted up, 1,000 white lotuses were offered and so on.
The ceremony is considered an important ritual in the ancient land, luring numerous foreign visitors and local residents.
Nam Giao ceremony platform was built at the south of the Hue citadel in 1806. The stage had three storeys, symbolising the King as the bridge between the Earth and Heaven. The ceremony became a large festival under the Nguyen Dynasty, attracting participation of many civilians. Initially the ceremony was conducted in the first ten days of each lunar February. After that it was held every third year.
Reported by H.Thuan – Translated by A.C
