Red color welcoming Spring

During every Lunar New Year, the Cao Lan people cut and shape red paper, then paste it onto household items. These intricate and beautiful shapes and patterns are not just simple decorations but also carry significant cultural and spiritual values, symbolizing hopes for a prosperous and peaceful new year. This is a beautiful tradition that reflects the unique identity of the Cao Lan people, passed down through generations.

Following the road leading to Ngoc Tan village (Area 13), Ngoc Quan commune, Doan Hung district, where over 98% of the population is of the Cao Lan ethnicity, we visit the family of Mr. Au Duc Hoi, a respected elder in Ngoc Tan village. At this moment, the women in his family are busily preparing traditional cakes to offer to their ancestors and serve guests, while the men are quickly tidying up and reinforcing their homes in preparation for the New Year.

The Cao Lan people’s New Year celebration lasts from the 25th day of the 12th lunar month to the full moon of the first lunar month. Starting from the 25th of the 12th month, the Cao Lan people begin their preparations for the New Year. First, they make traditional Tet cakes, with the square-shaped Banh Chung being an essential part of every household. It is not only for eating during Tet but also given as gifts when visiting relatives. Along with Banh Chung, other traditional cakes like Banh Chim Gau made from sticky rice, Banh Gai made from sticky rice mixed with green beans and sugarcane molasses, Banh Ngu Sac, and Che Lam are also indispensable in the Tet offerings of the Cao Lan people.

While the women skillfully make these traditional cakes, singing the sweet and captivating Sinh ca, the men in the family are also busy preparing for the red paper decoration ceremony (called Chi Dit in Cao Lan language), pasting it onto household items to let them “rest” for the New Year.

Red paper is pasted onto trees with the wish of warding off pests and evil spirits.

The red paper is cut and pasted with intricate, beautiful shapes and patterns.

After the Chi Dit ceremony is completed, the Cao Lan people gather to sing Sinh ca and Veo ca to celebrate Spring and welcome the New Year.

The red paper is typically cut into rectangular shapes with traditional patterns. The paper for the ancestor altar is usually about 30x50cm, while the paper for household items is about 5x10cm. The red paper is pasted all over the house. If the red paper is pasted on the ancestor altar, it represents a prayer for the ancestors' blessings, ensuring health, peace, and good fortune for the family. When pasted on tools like hoes, shovels, and knives, it symbolizes that these tools will rest and welcome the new year after a year of hard work. For tree trunks in the garden, if red paper is pasted on them, it signifies that the trees will grow well, bear abundant fruits, and be free from pests in the coming year.

On the 28th and 29th of the 12th lunar month, when all the household items and tree trunks in the garden are decorated with red paper, and the fragrant aroma of freshly cooked cakes fills the air, the Cao Lan people know that Tet has arrived. From this moment, they set aside the worries and burdens of the past year and gather to sing Sinh ca, Veo ca, dance the Gau bird dance, and catch shrimp... all to joyfully usher in the new Spring with happiness and excitement.

The Chi Dit ceremony of the Cao Lan people is not only a cultural beauty but also carries deep spiritual meaning, reflecting people’s beliefs and aspirations for a bright future. Preserving and promoting the value of this tradition helps maintain ethnic identity and enriches the diverse cultural heritage of the country.

Thanh An