Not Having Undergone The Coming-Of-Age Ceremony, Even With Gray Hair, One Is Still Considered A Child In The Dao People's Perspective.

With many ethnic groups, adulthood is determined by age. But for the Dao people, especially the Dao Tien in Bac Kan, maturity is not determined by the year of birth.

A man may have a family, have many children and grandchildren, and even be over 70 or 80 years old, but if he has not undergone the maturity ceremony, he is still not recognized by the community as an adult. It may sound strange, but this is a concept that has existed for hundreds of years in the cultural life of the Dao people.

Currently, the Dao people make up nearly 20% of the population of Bac Kan province, concentrated in the districts of Ba Be, Pac Nam, Ngan Son, Cho Don, Bach Thong, and Na Ri. Although modern life has changed significantly, the Dao community here still preserves the maturity ceremony quite intact as an indispensable part of their cultural and spiritual life.

The ceremony to become a true man

According to the Dao people's beliefs, a man, whether married or with children, is not recognized as an adult by the community if he has not undergone the maturity ceremony.

In the Dao language, the maturity ceremony is also called "Qua tang." The word "Qua" means to overcome challenges and experiences; while "Tang" means light, a guiding lamp. Deep down, this is a ceremony that marks a person's transition to a new phase of life, recognized by the deities and ancestors to become a full member of the community.

After being recognized, the Dao man has the right to participate in the ritual ceremonies of the lineage, is allowed to worship the ancestors, and take on important responsibilities in the family as well as the community.

For the Dao people, this is not only a maturation in age but also a maturation in responsibility, ethics, and character.

A sacred ceremony lasting several days

The main steps in the Dao people's maturity ceremony

1. Preparing offerings and receiving the master

The maturity ceremony is often held during the agricultural off-season, most commonly in the 11th and 12th lunar months or the early months of the new year. Before the ceremony takes place, the family must prepare sufficient offerings such as pigs, chickens, rice, wine, white cloth, and other items for the ritual. A maturity ceremony usually has at least three main priests along with assistant priests to carry out the rituals.

The person undergoing the ceremony and their family will go to the master's house to pay respects, officially receive the master, and invite him to preside over the ceremony. This is considered an important initial step before proceeding with the spiritual rituals.

2. Performing the ritual to report to the ancestors and receive the destiny

When the ceremony begins, the priests perform a ritual to report to the ancestors and deities about organizing the maturity ceremony for the descendants in the lineage. According to the Dao people's beliefs, this is a ritual to seek permission from the ancestors while also praying for the divine beings to witness and bless the ceremony for it to proceed smoothly.

This ritual also signifies receiving the protection of the ancestors for the person undergoing the ceremony on their journey to maturity ahead.

3. Hanging the worship paintings and opening the altar

After the ritual to report to the ancestors, the priests proceed to hang the traditional worship paintings, including paintings of the Jade Emperor, the Three Pure Ones, and other deities according to the Dao people's beliefs.

Next is the ritual of opening the altar, marking the establishment of the sacred space for the ceremony. According to folk beliefs, this is the moment to open the door connecting humans with the spiritual world, while also protecting the person undergoing the ceremony from misfortunes and evil forces.

4. Performing the lighting ritual

This is the most important ritual in the entire maturity ceremony.

The person undergoing the ceremony sits in front of the ancestor altar while the priests perform the ritual of transmission. The lit lamps symbolize the light of wisdom, ethics, and maturity. From this moment, the Dao man is officially recognized by the deities and ancestors as an adult, eligible to participate in the family's and lineage's spiritual rituals.

5. Granting the spiritual name and certificate

After the lighting ritual, the person undergoing the ceremony is given a spiritual name, also known as a legal name. This is a sacred name recorded in the certificate and will accompany that person throughout their life.

According to the Dao people's beliefs, when returning to the ancestors, this spiritual name will help the ancestors recognize their descendants. At the same time, the person undergoing the ceremony is also given a certificate – a document that confirms their maturity and recognition by the deities.

6. Teaching the principles of being human

An important part of the maturity ceremony is the teaching segment.

The priests will impart teachings about ethics, behavior, and the responsibilities of a man towards his family, lineage, and community. This content is expressed through prohibitions and vows, reminding individuals to live virtuously, show filial piety to parents, respect teachers, remain loyal in relationships, unite with the community, and avoid bad deeds.

7. Completing the ceremony and being recognized as an adult

At the end of the maturity ceremony, the person undergoing the ceremony is officially recognized by the Dao community as an adult. From here, they have the right to participate in the spiritual activities of the family and lineage, are allowed to worship the ancestors, and take on important responsibilities in the community.

For the Dao people, this is not only a spiritual ritual but also a sacred milestone marking the maturity of character, ethics, and responsibility of a man in life.

A unique combination of beliefs and folk art

The maturity ceremony not only carries spiritual significance but also serves as an occasion to showcase many distinctive traditional cultural values of the Dao people. During the ceremony, visitors may encounter ancient prayers passed down through generations, symbolic ritual dances, and intricately hand-embroidered traditional costumes.

Many costumes used in the maturity ceremony take months, even years, to complete. Each embroidered motif carries its own meaning, reflecting the worldview and beliefs of the Dao people. It is this combination of beliefs, music, dance, fine arts, and folk literature that creates the special appeal of this ritual.

A cultural heritage that needs to be preserved

With profound historical, cultural, and humanitarian values, the maturity ceremony of the Dao people in Bac Kan province has been included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

This recognition is not only a source of pride for the Dao people but also contributes to affirming the value of a unique cultural heritage in the treasure trove of the cultures of the Vietnamese ethnic groups.

Today, many localities in Bac Kan still maintain the organization of the maturity ceremony according to traditional rituals. At the same time, activities to preserve, research, and introduce the ceremony to visitors are also being focused on to help the younger generation better understand their cultural roots.

The lamp illuminating the journey of being human

For the Dao people, the maturity ceremony is not merely a ritual of belief. It is a lesson in ethics. It is a reminder of the ancestors' gratitude. It is the affirmation of a man's responsibility towards his family and community. Through hundreds of years, amidst the changes of modern life, the "Qua tang" lamp continues to be lit in the Dao villages in Bac Kan as a symbol of maturity, of goodwill, and of the enduring cultural values passed down from generation to generation.