Published:  22:32 Friday - December 03, 2010

A traditional festival in Bac Ninh is held on the 6th day of Tet every year and attracts a lot of visitors.

The festival includes the slaughtering of pigs. This religious festival is organised at Nem Thuong Hamlet, Khac Niem Commune, Tien Du, Bac Ninh province.

It’s said that General Ly Doan Thuong of the Ly Dynasty and his army passed by Nem Thuong Hamlet and slaughtered wild pigs to keep his army safe. After that, people here organised annual pig slaughtering's during a festival to honour the General.

Religions in the North consider pig blood a way to worship the God that is symbolic for prosperity, productivity and a good harvest.

Two pigs will be carried on top of shoulders, brought around the village, and then end in the village’s yard.

People use money, ropes and farming tools to absorb pig blood with a hope that they will receive good fortune. Pig meat will be shared with everyone in hopes that people will be prosperous for the whole year.

Young boys gathered at the festival

“Good luck gift”

A pig escaped from the cage that is believed to bring good luck

Being carried through the village

Taken around the hamlet

Musical procession following the pigs

Pig's must be kept safe before the rite

Offering betel

Lifted onto shoulders

The special tradition attracts a lot of visitors

Elderly people in Ao The

Celebrating the festival

People gathered at the village’s yard

Waving a flag before slaughtering

The last moment before being slaughtered