The new rice-eating ceremony "Giay Xi Ma" of the Phu La people
The next morning is when they bring the newly transplanted rice bundles and pound them into rice to cook new rice to offer to their grandparents and ancestors. But before serving rice or sticky rice, there must be a wild banana, a wild eggplant and a little sand. On the day of the new rice festival, all the old rice of every family will be put away and the house will begin to be cleaned in the hope of welcoming the new rice soul back. When the rice is cooked and put into sieves lined with banana leaves underneath, it is time for the worship ceremony to be prepared.
The results of a year of labor are fully displayed on the offering tray. People will begin to transport the ripe rice flowers home and conduct a ceremony to thank their ancestors and make an offering tray. Sticky rice made from new rice, boiled chicken, cups of wine, and incense sticks are included in the offerings.
The offering tray in some Phu La villages at Sa Pa and Bao Thang will be carefully prepared with sophisticated items including dried or fresh fish, a few dried mice, birds, and fermented fish, chili and four pairs of chopsticks. After that, everything will be presented to the altar on a rattan tray by the homeowner. Next, the homeowner will sit cross-legged to perform the worshiping ceremony. The worshiper may also be invited to perform the ceremony in some families, sitting in front of the altar on a small chair and muttering prayers.
The family will divide the offering tray into two trays after the offering is complete: One tray for men and one tray for women. Men's trays are placed in front of the altar to invite the host, priests and guests. The women's tray is placed on a banana leaf inside the men's tray. When the men in the family and the shaman finish drinking wine, the wife will bring a ball of rice and a piece of meat wrapped in wild banana leaves to each person. After sipping the wine three times, the men could eat.
People who know how to sing, dance or play the flute will begin to show off their talents at meals. Especially late at night, when the alcohol has soaked in, the alcohol makes people even more sublime, they organize competitions through music and songs, girls hold hands around the fire and Let's raise a cup of love wine together, hoping for a warm and peaceful family, a bountiful crop, lush and green,...
Up to now, the new rice ceremony "Giay Xi Ma" of the Phu La people is still maintained and continues to be preserved for the future, expressing a cultural beauty and belief imbued with their traditions. in particular as well as the Northwest highland peoples in general.