Step into the glowing embers: Fire Dance

Contest Entry Code: fbd925156a7144ef99f913aaf1c5f086

Unit: Individual

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

The Fire Dance Festival of the Pà Thẻn people in Chiêm Hóa (Tuyên Quang) is a primitive and rudimentary belief, a faith in the spirit world and supernatural forces. According to tradition, at the beginning of spring, the shamans in the village hold the Fire Dance (fire-praying) festival to recruit apprentices and pass on their shamanic skills. The second part is the fire-jumping ritual, which takes place at sunset. At this time, a large bonfire has already been lit nearby, burning brightly with red-hot embers. Participants take turns jumping into the embers, using their bare hands and feet to extinguish the fire. While jumping, they close their eyes and seem to be guided by a spirit, so they are unaware they are jumping into the flames. Therefore, after jumping into the fire, their hands and feet are not burned, hurt, or scratched.