| Description |
“Gạ ma do” is “female pig forest” - one of four sacred forests in each Hà Nhì village. “Gạ ma do” is held on the first Dragon day of January. The main rituals are presided over by the shaman, including: "Ga Tu Tu" - cấm bản; Water offering procession at the source, and forest worship ceremony.
Before the Dragon Day, the priest holds a Cấm bản ceremony. Early in the morning of the Dragon day, the shaman Cả held a ceremony to worship the Water God at the upstream stream. After that, young men carry water, firewood, pots, chopping boards, knives., etc to the sacred forest to make offerings to the forest. All participants must walk barefoot to pay homage to the forest god. When the participants gather at the temple to worship the forest god, someone will go and set up climbing trees and ban the forest at the forest gate. Offerings include a 1-quintal black pig, 1 rooster, 1 stick of sticky rice, sticky rice, red-dyed eggs, wine, ginger juice, incense, and gold coins. Chickens and pigs are placed in front of the offering table. After the shaman sends offerings to the gods, the pigs, and chickens are taken to be feathered and processed into whole-boiled chicken dishes. The pig keeps the head and entrails to boil and offer. After worshiping, the villagers eat "fortune" in the forest. Two days before and after the "Gạ ma do" worshiping ceremony, they hold the "Dứ Dò Dò" ceremony at the shaman's house to give thanks. The entire process has strict regulations and abstinence.
The remainder of the pig is brought home and divided equally among households in the village. Families use pork to make offerings to their ancestors and contribute thanksgiving offerings at the village shaman's house. |
