Tot Dong Communal House Festival

- Tot Dong Communal House dates back to the 15th century, was rebuilt in 1840, and underwent repairs and embellishments in 1930 and 2018.

- According to the elders, the festival has been held since ancient times (the largest organization was in 1938). Since 1994 the festival has been restored to this day. By convention, the festival is held every 5 years on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of the first lunar month.

- Tot Dong Communal House worships two generals, Le Ngan and Do Bi. In 1426, together with the Lam Son army, they fought to drive out the Ming invaders in the 15th century. In particular, the battle of Chuc Dong – Tot Dong destroyed and captured 60,000 Ming troops. In recognition of their great merits, the people of Tot Dong village, now Tot Dong commune, built the communal house to worship and honor the two as village tutelary gods. Specifically: Saint Le Ngan was a talented general of the Le dynasty in the time of Le Loi who participated in the war against the Ming. Do Bi was a talented general who directly participated in the Tot Dong – Chuc Dong battle against the invading Ming army. Later, when the country was at peace, he served as an official at court; during a move against reactionary forces at court, Do Bi was slashed and seriously wounded, and he lay on the back of a horse that followed the trail back to the old Tot Dong – Chuc Dong battlefield, where he died.

- Customs, taboos, and prohibitions in the festival: villagers avoid calling His sacred name (for example, a bí must be called a bầu), but nowadays this is not strictly regulated. In the past, those participating in the palanquin procession had to stay at the communal house about 20 days before the festival; now the elders usually announce half a month in advance so people can prepare at home rather than staying at the communal house as before.

- Participants in carrying out festival activities: the festival organizing committee, the ritual committee, the reception committee, the palanquin procession committee (including young men and women), and the security committee. The main and important role in ensuring the festival content is played by the elders in the elderly sub-association, the elders in the ceremonial decoration committee, and local leaders.

- The festival is held over 3 days:

+ 6th day of the first lunar month

Morning: Opening ceremony, starting the palanquin procession to welcome the deities to Tot Dong Communal House.

Afternoon: Incense offering ceremony, ceremony of entering the deity register

+ 7th day of the first lunar month

Morning: Welcoming guest delegations and local people offering offerings; palanquins go in procession to receive offerings in the villages

Afternoon: Sacrificial ceremony

+ 8th day of the first lunar month

Morning: Thank-offering ceremony, escorting the deities back to the shrine.

Afternoon: Closing ceremony of the festival

- During the festival, festive activities are interwoven into the main festival days, including folk games, lion dance, dragon dance, artistic performances…

- The festival includes 6 palanquins (giá văn, long đình, bát cống). The order of procession is giá văn, bát cống, long đình. Offerings presented during the festival include pig's head, rice cakes, chè kho, glutinous rice, chicken, and wine. Processional objects: parasols, palanquins, fans, canopies, thrones, eight treasures, and ceremonial weapons. Musical instruments in the festival include gongs, drums, and the bát âm ensemble…