Unique rice cooking contest in Thi Cam village
Thursday, 21/02/2013 08:49 (GMT+7)
(CPV) - On the 8th day of the Lunar New Year, residents of Thi Cam village, Xuan Phuong commune, Tu Liem district, Hanoi jubilantly celebrate the traditional rice cooking contest.
The festival commemorates Phan Tay Nhac. According to legend, he was the 18th General of the Hung Kings period, and organised contest of cooking rice to select the best cook to serve soldiers fighting wars. This is a unique custom of Thi Cam village every spring, a way to wish everyone a plentiful year and peace for their families.
The rice cooking contest include 3 contents: water bringing exam, fire building exam and rice cooking contest. The rice cooking contents include rice pounding, white rice choosing and rice cooking. Traditionally, there are four teams taking the test, each team of 10 people with their own costumes and colours, regardless of male or female: 4 people mill and pound the rice, one person screens the rice, one brings water, two people build fire with bamboo, and 2 cook the rice. Judges watch each stage over the total cooking time of about two hours.
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Every year at the festival, sacrifices and incense offerings are solemnly
made by the elders of Thi Cam village |
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The artefacts used in traditional festivals are preserved over
many generations by Thi Cam people |
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Lines of people come back to seek the cultural values of
the source of the nation |
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Mr Bui Doan Quang, a 65 year old judge of the contest,
starts dividing rice for teams |
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For the fire, each team has to spin a dry piece of bamboo over sawdust and
straw, using friction to create enough heat to light the fire immediately.
Blowing and maintaining the fire is an art for each team |
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The most unique feature of the competition is the rice cooking part. According
to custom, the villagers cook rice with pots placed on a tripod over a fire of
straw and wood, then the pot is buried in ash until it is finished |
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To extend the time for the rice to be cooked, each team have to create
more than "virtual" ashes to mislead the jury |
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Watching four pots of rice in the hot dusty smoke is difficult
for each member of the jury |
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The results of the contest are dedicated to the spirits by the elders |
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Offering rice ritual before judging |
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The male elders of the village keep score between the teams. The team
which produces the most supple, aromatic and consistent rice
will be the winner |
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While the contest has only small prizes, it has brought great spiritual
significance brings good fortune for the new year |