Bà Chiêm Sơn Festival

The worship of Bà Chiêm Sơn dates back to the early days of reclaiming the land of Duy Xuyen, in the context of cultural interaction between Champa and the Vietnamese. According to local legend, long ago, eight cowherd boys in Chiem Son Village discovered a strange stone on a moonlit night and decided to carry it to the village pagoda for worship. However, when passing Chiêm Sơn Hill, the ropes suddenly broke, and the stone fell, becoming so heavy that no one could lift it again. At that moment, a village boy fell into trance, proclaiming himself as Bô Bô Thái Dương Phu Nhân – the protective goddess of the villagers – who declared that she chose to dwell on this hill and did not wish to be worshipped alongside the Buddhas. Following the divine message, the villagers built a small shrine on the hill, known as Dinh Bà, to worship Bà Chiêm Sơn.

She has since been revered as the patron goddess of the village, protecting and blessing the surrounding community. Her statue is a sandstone sculpture, about one meter tall, with distinctive features: elongated ears, a headdress adorned with seven serpent heads, seated cross-legged, and draped in a robe. These characteristics, along with the fact that statues of an elephant (Ganesha) and a Makara (a sacred creature in Cham culture) once stood in front of her shrine, strongly suggest that Bà Chiêm Sơn originated from a Cham goddess later adopted and worshipped by the Vietnamese.

Her sanctity is further reinforced by a legend involving Emperor Minh Mạng. It is said that when his royal entourage passed by the Dinh Bà, the emperor’s horse suddenly panicked and reared uncontrollably, forcing him to command that the shrine’s main entrance be turned to face the rice fields instead of the main road. This story deepened her reputation and divine power in popular belief.

Recognizing her merits and manifestations, the Nguyễn Dynasty conferred titles upon her multiple times. In 1908 (the 2nd year of Emperor Duy Tân), she was honored as Thái Dương Phu Nhân. Later, in 1924 (the 9th year of Emperor Khải Định), she was further granted the exalted title “Trinh Uyển Dực Bảo Trung Hưng Thái Dương Phu Nhân Tôn Thần.” From then on, the worship of Bà became even more firmly rooted in the community.

Every year, on the 12th day of the first lunar month – the main festival day – the people of Chiem Son Village and neighboring areas solemnly hold the Bà Chiêm Sơn Festival, following traditional rites. It has become an inseparable part of the spiritual and cultural life of the local agrarian community.

The ceremonial part of the Bà Chiêm Sơn Festival is conducted with solemnity, expressing the villagers’ deep reverence for the goddess. The sequence of rituals usually begins on the evening of the 11th day and continues through the 12th day of the first lunar month. The principal rituals include:

• Mộc Dục Ceremony (Ritual Bathing of the Statue): Before the main ceremony begins, the villagers perform the Mộc Dục ritual, in which the statue of Bà is ritually bathed to purify it. The statue is cleansed with water infused with fragrant leaves and flowers, symbolizing solemnity and reverence for the deity. This rite marks the opening of the ceremonial proceedings, preparing a sacred space to welcome Bà to receive the offerings.
• Túc Yết Ceremony: Held on the evening of the 11th day of the first lunar month, this ritual involves offering incense, candles, and ceremonial items to “stand vigil” and respectfully invite Bà to attend the festival. The offerings presented to Bà during the Túc Yết include a tray of rice, fruits, and, most notably, a grilled rice paper cake (bánh tráng nướng) — a symbolic gift deeply rooted in local culture. Though simple, the Túc Yết ceremony is imbued with profound reverence, serving as the opening act of the official worship rituals.
• Kỵ Bà Ceremony (Grand Offering to Bà): This solemn ritual is held at midnight, the transition from the 11th to the 12th day of the first lunar month. It is the central ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of Bà Chiêm Sơn, and represents the most sacred and dignified moment of the festival.

In the stillness of the night, after a period of ritual purification, respected village elders and dignitaries, dressed in traditional ceremonial attire, conduct the grand offering with utmost solemnity. The offerings to Bà during this rite are abundant, including rice, pork, fruits, betel and areca, incense, and flowers. Particularly, there are four obligatory items tied to legend and local belief: a freshwater crab, a clove of garlic, a mustard green plant, and a weasel.

As gongs, drums, and ceremonial music resound heroically in the darkness, the ritual unfolds with 20 formal chants of invocation following ancient tradition, praying for national peace and security, favorable weather, and prosperity for every household.

• Sắc-Conferring Procession: This ritual takes place on the morning of the 12th day of the first lunar month — the main festival day. At dawn, the villagers organize a majestic procession carrying the royal decrees from Bến Giá on the banks of the Thu Bồn River to the Dinh Bà Chiêm Sơn shrine.

Leading the procession is a vibrant lion dance troupe, followed by the gong-and-drum ensemble and the bát âm folk orchestra. Next comes the palanquin bearing local agricultural products and the palanquin carrying the royal decrees (sắc phong — the Nguyễn Dynasty’s imperial canonization edicts for Bà), solemnly borne by 16 young men of the village. The procession also includes honor guards and a large crowd of villagers and pilgrims, joining in with reverence and excitement.

Upon arrival at Dinh Bà, the Sắc Proclamation Ceremony is solemnly held to recall the merits of Bà and the royal titles she received in the past. At the conclusion of the rite, all offerings are distributed as sacred blessings (lộc) among the villagers and attendees, with the belief that receiving these blessings at the beginning of the year will bring good fortune and peace.

All the rituals in the ceremonial part of the Bà Chiêm Sơn Festival have been preserved by the Chiem Son community for generations, imbued with devotion and the spirit of Mother Goddess worship. These age-old rites not only vividly reflect the richness of folk cultural traditions but also serve as a means of educating younger generations about gratitude to their roots and instilling pride in their ancestral heritage.

Following the solemn ceremonies comes the lively and jubilant festival, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors alike. The festive part of the Bà Chiêm Sơn Festival features a variety of cultural, sporting, and folk activities, creating a joyful and spirited atmosphere throughout the village.

During the festival days, visitors can immerse themselves in unique experiences such as: Bài Chòi singing — the captivating folk art of Quảng; enjoying the rustic charm of a countryside market with traditional local dishes; watching vibrant lion dance performances; cheering on exciting volleyball matches; and enjoying community cultural performances presented by local villagers.