TUYÊN QUANG — For Pà Thẻn ethnic minority group living in the mountainous province of Tuyên Quang, nhảy lửa (fire jumping) ritual is one of their most significant traditional ceremonies.

People accumulate wood to prepare a bonfire which is the main subject of the fire jumping ritual of Pà Thẻn ethnic people. — VNA/VNS Photo Nam Sương

Every year, on the 16th day of the first lunar month, Pà Thẻn people, mostly living in the province’s Lâm Bình District, Hồng Quang Commune, organise the ritual to thanks God for a good year of bumper crops as well as a prosperous and healthy life.

The ritual includes a praying ceremony with a number of shamans worshipping the Fire God for luck, happiness, health, and peace. — VNA/VNS Photo Nam Sương

According to the Pà Thẻn people's concept, fire has been considered as a supreme god, that is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. They also believe that the fire is a means of avoiding demons and disease.

A shaman conducts a praying ceremony with offerings. — VNA/VNS Photo Nam Sương

The ritual includes a prayer ceremony with a number of shamans worshipping the Fire God for luck, happiness, health, and peace.

Young men will then jump over a coal fire without any fears and come away unscathed. They also kick up the coal pile to startle those watching. Sometimes they dig up live coals with their hands or put a live coal in their mouth.

A man jumps in a coal pile without fear. — VNA/VNS Photo Nam Sương

The fire jumping is only for people who are strong, skilled, and agile. Those who are selected to participate in the fire jumping must also have excellence and good morals.

The fire jumping is only for men who are strong, skilled, and agile. — VNA/VNS Photo Nam Sương

The festival is not only a unique cultural activity but also a wild and mysterious practice of Pà Thẻn people.

In 2012, the festival has been recognised as the national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The recognition aims to preserve and promote the unique festival that expresses strongly the rich ethnic culture. — VNS