TRADITIONAL BELIEFS IN THE VIETNAM - CHINA BORDER TODAY AND SOME ISSUES (A CASE STUDY OF HA GIANG PROVINCE)

Abstract

The border area between Vietnam and China located in Ha Giang province is mainly the residence of the Hmong and Dao people. Currently, the villagers along the border who believe in traditional beliefs are in a state of losing ethnic rituals such as the coming of age ceremony, worshiping Ban Vuong (of the Dao), Gau Tao, and Nao Song festivals (of the Hmong); worshiping the god of the land, offering new rice rituals. Besides, many family and clan rituals are cumbersome and difficult to perform. The team of shamans is in serious shortage. It is a favorable factor for the penetration of new religions. In the aforementioned context, the article indicates the current situation of traditional beliefs and some urgent issues in the study area.