The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods has long been part of the cultural life of Vietnamese people, but to prevent this from becoming a bad custom, many families have come up with a new, civilized way of worshipping the Kitchen Gods.
Traditional beauty
Despite being busy with work at the end of the year, Ms. Duong Thi Xuyen in Kim Xuyen commune (Kim Thanh) still made time to hold a ceremony to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao. This year, the ceremony did not fall on a holiday, so her family held the ceremony 1-2 days in advance so that her children and grandchildren could gather together.
“My family prepares a neat feast to send the Kitchen Gods to heaven. I often make traditional dishes such as boiled chicken, fried spring rolls, pork roll, etc., along with golden carp to release after the ceremony,” Ms. Xuyen shared.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Mac Van Nhi in Cam Che commune (Thanh Ha) said that his family has 3 generations living under one roof, so the ceremony to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao is fully prepared. Mr. Nhi shared: “After the ceremony at home, my grandchildren and I go to release fish and send Tao Quan to heaven. I hope my grandchildren will understand more about national traditions and this holiday.”
Worshiping the Kitchen Gods is a long-standing custom in Vietnam. According to folk beliefs, the day of worshiping the Kitchen Gods is the day the Kitchen God ascends to heaven to report on the family's cooking, business, and behavior during that year.
With the hope that the gods will take away the hardships and worries of the old year to prepare a peaceful and happy new year, every year, on the 23rd of December, many families hold a ceremony to send the Kitchen Gods to heaven. This belief is rich in humanistic meaning, guiding people to actively do good deeds and live honestly.
Life is gradually becoming modern, but the Tet Ong Cong and Ong Tao still retains its traditional beauty. The worshiping ceremony does not need to be too complicated but must be neat and in accordance with the customs of each region. Carp is an indispensable thing to send Ong Cong and Ong Tao to heaven.
Civilized, economical
However, to suit each family's circumstances, the concept of worshiping Ong Cong and Ong Tao has also changed a lot. Instead of worshiping on the exact 23rd of December, many families choose to worship 1-2 days in advance, the procedures are also simplified towards saving money and protecting the environment.
The ceremony to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao is still carried out by Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhai's family in Hong Phong commune (Nam Sach) with all the procedures, including Ong Cong and Ong Tao offerings, carp... However, instead of buying carp to release, Mrs. Nhai chose carp made from sticky rice. The tray of offerings has a full range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and is made more beautiful by the carp-shaped sticky rice dish.
Mrs. Nhai shared: “If you buy live carp from the market and bring it home without careful handling, the fish can easily suffocate, not to mention having to find a place to release the fish. To simplify the procedures, I chose to buy carp made from sticky rice, which is both beautiful and convenient. I also only burn a small amount of votive paper to symbolize my sincerity, not a lot like before. Burning a small amount is both less expensive and protects the environment.”
Releasing carp is an indispensable custom for many families in the ceremony to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao. Because carp is not only considered a means to help Tao Quan go to heaven, but also shows compassion as well as the humane tradition of the people.
In addition, releasing carp also contributes to biodiversity in the areas where fish are released. However, improper fish release along with poor awareness of some people has negatively affected the environment.
Therefore, many families have changed the worshiping ceremony of Ong Cong and Ong Tao but still maintain the traditional beauty. Instead of releasing fish, even plastic bags and offerings into rivers and lakes, people are conscious of protecting the environment. Fish are released in suitable locations, plastic bags are neatly collected, and votive paper is burned less than before. This shows civilization but still preserves the beauty of Vietnamese people in traditional customs.
TRAN HIEN - VAN TUAN