ANCESTOR WORSHIP IN FAMILY OF THE RED YAO AND THE AO DAI YAO IN HA GIANG PROVINCE

Abstract

Ha Giang currently has two large Yao groups such as the Red Yao and the Ao dai (long dress) Yao who live mainly in Hoang Su Phi and Vi Xuyen districts. The practice of ancestor worship plays an important role in their spiritual life. The Yao people do not worship the death anniversary, however, they worship their ancestors on festive occasions, a great event for families when they need the protection of their ancestors. Since ancient times, there have been major festivals in the list of worshiping days of the year including Lunar New Year, Qingming, the full moon of July, and the end of the year. In these rituals, the Dao groups have similar and different ways of worshiping their ancestors. In the contemporary context, the practice of ancestor worship is the junction between tradition and modernity, and there is also a certain transformation.