Life
Vietnamese Mother Goddesses belief recognised as an intangible cultural heritage
According to the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the practice related to the Vietnamese belief in Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms has been officially recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity on December 1.
The 11th Conference of the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is taking place at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from November 28 to December 3.
During the 11th conference, on December 1, the practice related to the Vietnamese belief in Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms has been officially recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Vietnam summited the dossier on “the belief of the Mother Goddess of Three Realms worship by Vietnamese” for UNESCO recognition in 2015, but the consideration process was delayed until this year.
The Mother Goddess worship is a traditional practice in Vietnam with a long history, having stood the test of social changes.
The Mother Goddess worship was created during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) and has become part of the Vietnamese spiritual life as a reminder of national history and the great contributions of predecessors and national heroes.
The ritual combines music, singing, dancing, martial arts, cooking and fashion. During an associated trance ritual, mediums serve as ambassadors connecting the material world with the genies.
The belief in Mother Goddess worship reflects people’s desire for health, wealth and fortune.
The practice rituals meet belief-related needs by people in their daily life and have been closely associated with historical and cultural figures, such as Lieu Hanh, Au Co, Vuong Mau (legendary Mother of Saint Giong).
The Beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms has been practiced in numerous northern mountainous provinces across the nation since the 16th century.
The practitioners are comprised of temple guardians, ritual priests, spirit mediums, mediums’ assistants, musicians who perform the songs for the spirits, disciples and lay adherents who share the same beliefs in the spiritual power, supernatural strength and protection of the Mother Goddess spirit pantheon.
All of these practitioners form groups who worship together, participate in traditional festivals and perform spirit possession rituals at temples and palaces dedicated to Mother Goddesses.
The folk belief shows the respect of children towards their mothers while reflecting the UNESCO spirit of preserving cultural and religious diversity.
Vietnam is already house of world intangible cultural heritages, including Nha Nhac (royal court music), the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands, Quan Ho (love duets), Ca tru (ceremonial singing) and Hung King worshipping rituals.
During the 11th conference, on December 1, the practice related to the Vietnamese belief in Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms has been officially recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The delegation of Vietnam attends the 11th Conference of the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage Ethiopia.
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The Mother Goddess worship is a traditional practice in Vietnam with a long history, having stood the test of social changes.
The Mother Goddess worship was created during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) and has become part of the Vietnamese spiritual life as a reminder of national history and the great contributions of predecessors and national heroes.
Photo for illustration
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The belief in Mother Goddess worship reflects people’s desire for health, wealth and fortune.
The practice rituals meet belief-related needs by people in their daily life and have been closely associated with historical and cultural figures, such as Lieu Hanh, Au Co, Vuong Mau (legendary Mother of Saint Giong).
The Beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms has been practiced in numerous northern mountainous provinces across the nation since the 16th century.
The practitioners are comprised of temple guardians, ritual priests, spirit mediums, mediums’ assistants, musicians who perform the songs for the spirits, disciples and lay adherents who share the same beliefs in the spiritual power, supernatural strength and protection of the Mother Goddess spirit pantheon.
All of these practitioners form groups who worship together, participate in traditional festivals and perform spirit possession rituals at temples and palaces dedicated to Mother Goddesses.
The folk belief shows the respect of children towards their mothers while reflecting the UNESCO spirit of preserving cultural and religious diversity.
Vietnam is already house of world intangible cultural heritages, including Nha Nhac (royal court music), the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands, Quan Ho (love duets), Ca tru (ceremonial singing) and Hung King worshipping rituals.
