Cao Bang (VNS/VNA) – Tau Sai is an important eventcelebrating the coming of age of men and women among the Dao Tien ethnicminority group in the northern province of Cao Bang.

The ceremony has been held for hundreds of years, honouring the principles ofmarriage, family happiness and uniting people in their family and community.

In Dao language, “tau” means “rank”, while “sai” means “master”.
"Tau Sai" means giving a master rank, recognising someone reaching ahigh level of maturity.

In the Dao group’s tradition, rank or title is very important, whichmarks the moment someone can have an important voice in the community and havethe right to host various important rituals.

The person most honoured at the ceremony is highly respected by thecommunity and a “senior master” who is a high-ranked shaman withenough prestige to host important ceremonies for.

Due to its complexity and long preparation, the community holds a TauSai ceremony only once every 30 years or so.

To prepare for Tau Sai ceremony, the head of the extendedfamily will meet with the involved households to choose the matured peopleand the right time for the ceremony.

Tau Sai ceremony is an important event in the community of Dao Tien ethnicminority group.

The chosen people will then prepare costumesand practise praying ceremonies to be able to host important events.The preparation period may last for half a year to a year.

The Tau Sai ceremony includes two rituals: Sin Pe Dangand Tau Sai.
The former is conducted after preparing costumes, wine, rice, vegetables,other food, incense and paper for writing prayers on. The head of theextended family will visit a master (who is often of another family)to ask for his help to choose a suitable day for the latter ceremony.

Sin Pe Dang is held one to three months before the main event TauSai, which aims to inform the gods and ancestors that the extendedfamily has prepared for the big day.

From that time, the whole extended family leads monks' lives to cleanthemselves for the ritual.

The Sin Pe Dang ritual is often held for two days and one night,hosted by three shamans.

Fourteen shamans host the Tau Sai ceremony and each of them willbring up to three helpers.

The shamans write two kinds of prayer papers: for living people and deadpeople.

A Tau Sai ceremony often lasts three to five nights with variousactivities, including prayer ceremonies to inform ancestors and gods aboutthe important event.

Today, the main ceremony has been shortened down to two or three days withfewer procedures and expenses.

The ceremony also aims to wish for peace, prosperity and luck for thefamily. /.