Hanoi’s traditional tug of war pulls national recognition
Thach Ban ward in Hanoi’s Long Bien district received special certification on April 21 recognising its local tug of war custom as a piece of national intangible cultural heritage.
Thach Ban ward in Hanoi’s Long Bien district received specialcertification on April 21 recognising its local tug of war custom as apiece of national intangible cultural heritage.
The tug of war is part of a local festival held on the third day of thethird lunar month (April 21 this year) to commemorate the birthday ofSaint Huyen Thien Tran Vu.
To play this game, twoteams sit on the ground and pull a rattan rope through a hole in awooden pole planted in the middle.
The practice ismeant to pray to the saint for good luck and an abundant supply of waterfor agricultural activities and daily use.
Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Van Huy, a member of the National Cultural HeritageCouncil, said the locality has succeeded in preserving and upholding theoriginal values and form of the game, and has resisted turning it into asport for competition.
Earlier this month, anotherlocal tug of war tradition, this time in Huong Canh town in northernVinh Phuc province, was also honoured as national intangible culturalheritage.
That game, also using a rattan rope,replicated the practices of naval forces led by national hero Ngo Quyenwho was best remembered for helping Vietnam defeat invading troops fromthe Southern Han state of China on the Bach Dang River in 938.-VNA
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