It is a custom of the Dao Tien ethnic group in the northern mountainousprovince of Cao Bang that married men will be recognised as mature bythe community following the “Cap Sac” ceremony, whereby he will be givena new name.
The tradition is different from “Cap Sac”ceremony practised by other sub-groups of the Dao ethnic group, which isconducted for boys, thus recognising they are mature enough to getmarried.
During the three-day ceremony of the Dao Tien,offerings like two pigs weighing over 80kg, 5-10 chickens, driedsquirrel meat, incense, paper, two mats, silver coins, rice wine,vegetarian dishes and deity paintings will be needed.
Duringthe two months before and after the ceremony, the man and his wife mustlive separate. They must neither use bad words and nor let others touchthem.
Prior to the ceremony, the man must take a bath and wear new clothes.
Local guests are requested to eat oil-free vegetarian dishes and shun animal killings.
Throughout 10 rites, the man will receive a hat, then representhimself to gods and ancestors after undergoing a ritual of lightinglamps to remove bad luck, during which shamans will light the lamps madefrom bamboo and put one on the man’s head and two others on hisshoulders to light the path for moral standards of the locals to enterhis soul.
After that the man will be given a new name by thedeities through the shaman. The naming ritual will allow him to stand inthe rank of important members in their family clans.
Withthis new name to talk with gods and ancestors, he can worship the clan’sancestors and take responsibility for the common tasks of thecommunity.
It is concluded by the sharing of pork meat with all guests in attendance.
The local community believes that the rituals will give the men good luck and prosperity.-VNA
The tradition is different from “Cap Sac”ceremony practised by other sub-groups of the Dao ethnic group, which isconducted for boys, thus recognising they are mature enough to getmarried.
During the three-day ceremony of the Dao Tien,offerings like two pigs weighing over 80kg, 5-10 chickens, driedsquirrel meat, incense, paper, two mats, silver coins, rice wine,vegetarian dishes and deity paintings will be needed.
Duringthe two months before and after the ceremony, the man and his wife mustlive separate. They must neither use bad words and nor let others touchthem.
Prior to the ceremony, the man must take a bath and wear new clothes.
Local guests are requested to eat oil-free vegetarian dishes and shun animal killings.
Throughout 10 rites, the man will receive a hat, then representhimself to gods and ancestors after undergoing a ritual of lightinglamps to remove bad luck, during which shamans will light the lamps madefrom bamboo and put one on the man’s head and two others on hisshoulders to light the path for moral standards of the locals to enterhis soul.
After that the man will be given a new name by thedeities through the shaman. The naming ritual will allow him to stand inthe rank of important members in their family clans.
Withthis new name to talk with gods and ancestors, he can worship the clan’sancestors and take responsibility for the common tasks of thecommunity.
It is concluded by the sharing of pork meat with all guests in attendance.
The local community believes that the rituals will give the men good luck and prosperity.-VNA
