
Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – A royal ritual Le Te Xa Tac (Worshipping theGenies of Rice and Soil) was held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue onMarch 27 to pray for bumper crops and prosperity, attracting a large crowd oftourists and local people.
Le Te Xa Tac used to be one of the most important rituals conducted by kings ofthe successive feudal dynasties every spring to pray for abundant crops andpeace.
The ritual comprised of two parts: a procession and the worship ceremony. Departingfrom the Ngo Mon (Moon Gate), a group of people playing the roles of the King,his court and soldiers will perform all steps of the ritual at the Xa TacWorship Platform.
The Worship Platform was built in the west of the citadel in the spring of 1806during the reign of King Gia Long, the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty. Itincluded soil from regions around the country to represent national unity atits imperial capital.
The ritual was revived in 2008 and has been held in spring every year as partof the efforts to preserve traditional cultural values in modern life.-VNA