On the morning of March 15th, the "Xên Mường" ceremony, marking the opening of the 2025 Son La City Ban Flower Festival, took place at Dong Xen Park, Chieng Coi Ward, Son La City.
Dong Xen Park is filled with the white blossoms of the Bauhinia tree.
Preparing the offering tray for the "Xên Mường" ceremony at Đông Xên Park.
The Hoa Ban Festival consists of a ceremonial part and a festive part. The ceremonial part, "Xên Mường," is performed by elderly artisans with the "Tam tế then" ritual, reporting to and inviting the celestial deities (8 then) and the gods who govern the mountains and rivers in the earthly realm (mương lum) to join in the Hoa Ban Festival and enjoy the delicious food and unique offerings, the fruits of the labor of the local people.
Offering tray at the "Xên mường" ceremony.
The "Tam Te Then" ritual at Dong Xen Park.
Tying threads around the wrist at the "Xên Mường" ceremony.
The "Xên Mường" festival has become an annual celebration for the Thái ethnic community. It's an occasion to express gratitude to the deities and those who contributed to the development, construction, and protection of the villages and hamlets; to pray for peace and stability for the people of Sơn La city and its villages, favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and prosperous businesses. The "Xên Mường" festival has become a unique cultural feature of the ethnic communities in Sơn La city.
Immediately afterwards,At Dong Xen Park, city leaders offered incense, expressing gratitude and thanks to the deities and those who contributed to the development, construction, and protection of the villages and hamlets; praying for peace and stability for all the people of Son La city and the villages, favorable weather, and abundant harvests.
The Standing Committee of the Son La City Party Committee offered incense at Dong Xen Park.
The wrist-tying ritual at the incense offering ceremony in Dong Xen Park.
The wrist-tying ritual at the incense offering ceremony in Dong Xen Park.
At Dong Xen Park, city leaders expressed their gratitude and thanks to the deities and those who contributed to the development, construction, and protection of the villages and hamlets; they prayed for peace and stability for all the people of Son La city and the villages, for favorable weather, and for abundant harvests.
Reporters' Team