The Lunar New Year pole (‘Cay Neu’ in Vietnamese) serves as a cultural symbol in the spiritual life of the Co ethnic minority group. It holds a significant and indispensable role in their various ceremonial offerings. ‘Cay Neu’ stands as the embodiment of the folk belief of the Co Tu people, a treasury laden with intriguing and exotic elements.

The Co Tu people in Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, raising Cay Neu in the Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups 2023. Photo: X.D

According to the Hoa Vang authorities, the Co ethnic minority group in Da Nang has a population of approximately 1,500 people, residing in three villages namely Ta Lang and Gian Bi villages in Hoa Bac Commune, and Phu Tuc Village in Hoa Phu Commune, Hoa Vang District. The Co Tu people in Da Nang are considered a lowland Co Tu subgroup, and are referred to as Co Tu Nal.

The Co Tu people in Hoa Bac commune live in the area between the Ba Na-Nui Chua Nature Reserve and Bach Ma National Park. Meanwhile, those in Hoa Phu commune reside to the south of the Ba Na Mountain.

Periodically, the Co Tu people in Da Nang demonstrate persistent innovation while simultaneously protecting distinctive cultural elements in their daily lives and spiritual practices. They preserve a multitude of cultural values that are present in all aspects of their social life, encompassing customs, community organization, marital and familial structures, housing arrangements, artistic pursuits, and culinary traditions.

Among them, ‘Cay Neu’ is a significant element for the Co Tu people in Da Nang, and the Co Tu ethnic minority group in Viet Nam as a whole. Placed in front of the Guol house, ‘Cay Neu’ holds a significant and indispensable role in various ceremonial offerings of the Co Tu people.

‘Cay Neu’ presents in the culture of many ethnic minorities in Viet Nam. Each ethnic group has a unique approach to adorning ‘Cay Neu’ and interprets its significance in distinct ways.

Cay Neu of the Vietnamese people is a bamboo pole that has been stripped of its leaves, except for a tuft at the top, decorated with a flag banner, terracotta wind chime, lantern, festival flags, and other embellishments. It is raised during Tet (the Lunar New Year) and major festive occasions, serving the purpose of warding off evil spirits. Meanwhile, ‘Cay Neu’ of the Co Tu people is sophisticatedly adorned as an artwork of folklore with diverse symbolic meanings.

Mr. Do Thanh Tan, the Head of Hoa Vang District Culture and Information Office, shared that ‘Cay Neu’ is diversely used by the Co Tu people in Da Nang, spanning its presence in the village, households, festivals, and funeral ceremonies.

‘Cay Neu’ consists of two bamboo poles with leaves and tops, installed on either side of the ritual column, curving and connecting at the top of the ritual column. Decorated at the top is a statue of a steering bird representing the Katu’s spirit of freedom and decorative stripes resembling flowers and rice ears, which symbolize vitality and growth. Furthermore, the trunk of ‘Cay Neu’ is embellished with visually appealing bundles of young palm leaves.

Mr. Tan further explained that while ‘Cay Neu’ and the Ritual Column are closely intertwined, they are entirely distinct elements. The Ritual Column serves as a conduit to the celestial world, connecting the earthly world with the spiritual realm and acting as a pillar of communication between the village and Giang (the Co Tu people’s God), as well as those who have departed.

The ritual column can be seen as a place for presenting offerings to the deity, while 'Cay Neu' serves as a sacred altar, receiving vital energy from the heavens and earth. It acts as a bridge connecting the human world with the divine, fostering connections between people, families, and villages, creating a cohesive community that lives together in harmony and prosperity.

"'Cay Neu' and ritual columns of the Co Tu people are intricately carved and decorated, making them stand out among the other components in the Goul house. One could argue that the Co Tu people boast the most captivating Cay Neu and ritual columns along the Truong Son range," said Mr. Tan.

In late November, the Co Tu people in Da Nang, with the distinctive values they hold, had the honor of representing the Katu ethnic group in participating in the Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups 2023  at the Vietnam National Village For Ethnic Culture And Tourism.

Mrs. Bui Thi Hanh, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Organization in Gian Bi Village, Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, a member of the participating delegation, stated that during this year's festival, the Da Nang delegation fully engaged in such various activities as cultural festivals, traditional costume performances, Cay Neu raising performance, traditional cuisine showcases, and more.

Among these activities, the Cay Neu raising performance by the Co Tu people from Da Nang attracted a large number of audiences and other Vietnamese ethnic groups. The Da Nang delegation's Cay Neu was meticulously adorned with beautiful and colorful decorations, symbolizing the strength and solidarity of the Co Tu people.

"Through this festival, our community has gained knowledge and experiences for promoting the development of local culture and tourism," shared Ms. Hanh.

According to Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang from the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, to both preserve and foster their culture, the Co Tu people in Da Nang joined hands with the municipal government to continuously strives to promote and preserve the culture of the Co Tu people by reviving their festivals, holding cultural and sports festivals, and expanding cultural exchanges to enrich their cultural knowledge.

The recent Festival stands as a testament to the joint efforts of the Co Tu people and the local government in preserving and fostering their culture. It provided the opportunity to the Co Tu people in Da Nang to participate in cultural, artistic, and sports exchange activities between Vietnamese regions and localities, enhancing public awareness about preserving and promoting the rituals, beliefs, traditional arts, folk music, and dances of Vietnamese ethnic minority groups.

Through such initiatives, the Co Tu people can intertwine cultural life with sustainable tourism development, as well as promote  socio-economic development of the district, and the city as a whole.

Reporting by KHOI NGUYEN - Translating by THAO TRANG