Katê festival, a Cham heritage

The Katê festival is the oldest and most unique festival of the Chăm ethnic minority and has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2017.

*Po Klong Garai, a Champa tower where the main ceremony is held, seen from above.*

*Dignitaries and Chăm participants hold a ritual to receive the clothes of the Po Inu Nugar goddess*

*Ritual consisting of bringing the clothes of the Po Inu Nugar goddess — Holy Mother of Chăm community — from her shrine to the temple.*

*The Brahman Chăm people present offerings to the gods*

Falling on the first day of the seventh month of the Chăm calendar, the Katê Festival is the opportunity for members of the community to commemorate their heroes, pay their respect to their gods and ancestors and pray for favorable weather and crops for the coming year. For visitors, it is a unique chance to explore the beauty of Chăm culture, including architecture, costumes, instruments and traditional songs and dances.

*Large crowds gather to watch the meticulously planned performances*

The festival begins at the three Cham towers in Ninh Thuan Province, Po Klong Garai, Po Rome, Po Inu Nagar, with processions of costumes, the opening of the tower doors and religious, cultural and traditional rituals. On the following day, the festival continues in local villages, where families begin to hold their own rites. Vietnam's Cham population includes followers of Islam and Brahmanism (Bà La Môn). Ninh Thuan is home to more than 53,700 Cham Brahman people.

Traditions & CultureAdrien JeanOctober 25, 2022Vietnam, Culture, Ethnic minoritiesComment