Dancing in the Embers

Contest Entry Code: 3bf9e9459d8b4207a07ada430107b6c8

Unit: Individual

Place of creation: Xã Chiêm Hoá, Tuyên Quang, Việt Nam

The Fire Jumping Festival of the Pa Then people in Chiem Hoa (Tuyen Quang) is a primitive belief, a belief in the world of gods and supernatural powers. According to the custom at the beginning of Spring, the shamans in the village will hold a Fire Jumping (fire-ball) ceremony to recruit students and pass on the shamanic profession. The second part is the fire jumping ritual which takes place from sunset. At this time, a large fire has been lit and burned into red-hot coals nearby. The participants in the fire jumping will take turns jumping into the pile of red-hot coals, using both their bare hands and feet to break the fire until it dies out. When jumping, they close their eyes and are led by the gods, so they do not know that they are rushing into the fire. Therefore, after jumping into the fire, their limbs are not burned, hurt or scratched.