Tao Khe Communal House
Introduction
1. Type and Ranking: It is an Architectural and Artistic relic. By Decision No. 1811/1998-QĐ-BVHTT dated August 25, 1998, the Minister of Culture and Information recognized and ranked it as National-level Relic.
2. Worshipped Figure and Historical Value
Worshipped Figure: The communal house worships two top-rank tutelary deities who were twin brothers: Tran Vo (Thuong Si Great General) and Tran Thong (Grand Chancellor General).
Divine legend: The two were outstanding heroes who rendered great service in assisting King Tran Thai Tong to defeat and repel 100,000 invading Mongol troops. After peace was restored, they asked to retire in Tao Khe land, teaching the people fine customs and good traditions; both passed away on the 12th day of the first lunar month.
Revolutionary events: Tao Khe Communal House marks an important historical event: In the afternoon of August 17, 1945, Comrade Do Muoi directly issued the order to launch the uprising to seize power in Ung Hoa district at this very communal house.
3. Architectural and Artistic Characteristics
Layout: The communal house is located on beautiful, airy land, facing southwest toward a large lake (the former Khe Thuy stream). It was built in the 'Tam' (or enclosed 'Dinh') character layout, including the Dai Bai hall, Tien Te hall, and Hau Cung sanctuary.
Dai Bai (main worship hall): It was built in the Le dynasty and extensively restored in the Nguyen dynasty, consisting of 5 bays and 2 side wings with four curved corners embossed with dragons and flowers. The interior is splendid with a system of large limwood columns and roof trusses in the 'chồng rường con nhị' style. Outstanding carvings include a multi-layered intricately carved ceremonial door screen, beam ends retaining the Le dynasty style, and relief-carved panels depicting the theme 'Ngư long hý thủy' (dragons curling and spraying water, carp, turtles, nghê...).
Rear sanctuary: The most solemn area is divided into two parts (Tien Te and Hau Cung), with a brick wall system with three arched doors in front.
4. System of Relics and Antiquities
The communal house preserves a very rich and valuable collection of artifacts.
Ancient Documents: 01 Han-character deity genealogy (Hong Phuc era) and 23 royal edicts of conferment from feudal dynasties, the earliest dating from Hoang Dinh (1603).
Wooden objects and worship items: 02 gilded and lacquered dragon thrones with spirit tablets, 01 wooden ceremonial washbasin carved with dragons, 01 ceremonial door screen, 02 pairs of couplets, a set of eight-treasure swords, and a mirror stand.
Stone and metal objects: 01 stone stele recording the descendants' construction of the communal house, 01 stone musical stone (khanh), along with many bronze objects such as ding vessels, incense burners, cranes, and candlesticks.
5. Worship rituals
According to the deity legend, the two deities were born on the 8th day of the first lunar month and both passed away on the 12th day of the first lunar month.
The village communal house is the center of the community's cultural and religious activities, where the traditional village festival is held, commemorating the merits of national-defense heroes and educating generations in the tradition of patriotism.
