In Pictures: unique sitting tug-of-war practice at Tran Vu Temple Festival

Within the framework of the 2023 Tran Vu Temple Festival in Thach Ban Ward, Long Bien District of Hanoi, the sitting tug- of-war ritual was held on April 22 (the third day of the third lunar month), featuring the participation of young men from Man Duong, Man Dia and Man Cho Villages.
The sitting tug-of-war practice is an important part of Tran Vu Temple Festival.
The sitting tug-of-war practice is an important part of Tran Vu Temple Festival.
Tran Vu Temple Festival is one of the long-standing festivals of Vietnam, aiming to commemorate Huyen Thien Tran Vu saint, who has administered the north since ancient times. The festival was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage and among the list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity by UNESCO.

Tran Vu Temple Festival is one of the long-standing festivals of Vietnam, aiming to commemorate Huyen Thien Tran Vu saint, who has administered the north since ancient times. The festival was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage and among the list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity by UNESCO.
Officials and people giving offerings at Cu Dong Communal House from 7:30am – 8:30am.

Officials and people giving offerings at Cu Dong Communal House from 7:30am – 8:30am.
At 9am, the young men who participate in a tug-of-war, prepare offerings including sticky rice and the pigs’ heads and gather in the communal house’s yard, to pay tribute to the saint.
At 9am, the young men who participate in a tug-of-war, prepare offerings including sticky rice and the pigs’ heads and gather in the communal house’s yard, to pay tribute to the saint.
Following the tribute-paying ceremony, the bamboo pole used for tug-of-war practice is raised three times by the captains of the groups, aiming to encourage the morale and spirit of the participants.

Following the tribute-paying ceremony, the bamboo pole used for tug-of-war practice is raised three times by the captains of the groups, aiming to encourage the morale and spirit of the participants.
The participants are young people and students living in the locality, with ages ranging between 18 and 25 years old. Male participants are topless and wear red shorts, red headscarves and red belts.

The participants are young people and students living in the locality, with ages ranging between 18 and 25 years old. Male participants are topless and wear red shorts, red headscarves and red belts.
The teams passed the up-to-50m bamboo pole to each other, in the practice area. This year, each team has 19 participants, one flag holder and three heads or vice-heads of the residential areas.

The teams passed the up-to-50m bamboo pole to each other, in the practice area. This year, each team has 19 participants, one flag holder and three heads or vice-heads of the residential areas.

The drummer controls the sitting tug-of-war games.

The drummer controls the sitting tug-of-war games.

After threading the bamboo pole through the hole, the teams sit in positions to prepare for the competition.

After threading the bamboo pole through the hole, the teams sit in positions to prepare for the competition.
Those in the front row press their feet on an ironwood pillar, making it easier to pull the pole.

Those in the front row press their feet on an ironwood pillar, making it easier to pull the pole.

Following the signal by whistle or loudspeaker, the flag holder runs up and down. Both teams struggled to pull the pole towards themselves.

Following the signal by whistle or loudspeaker, the flag holder runs up and down. Both teams struggled to pull the pole towards themselves.

Each person uses their hands to hold the bamboo pole and step into a deep hole in the ground with their feet. Most of the participants are healthy and muscular young men.

Each person uses their hands to hold the bamboo pole and step into a deep hole in the ground with their feet. Most of the participants are healthy and muscular young men.
The Man Duong team's members are trying to pull, aiming to bring victory for their team.

The Man Duong team's members are trying to pull, aiming to bring victory for their team.

The sound of drums, the fluttering flags and the cheers of the audience seem to encourage the participants.

The sound of drums, the fluttering flags and the cheers of the audience seem to encourage the participants.

A large number of people participate and cheer, creating a lively atmosphere.

A large number of people participate and cheer, creating a lively atmosphere.
The Man Duong team is the winner. However, the members of the remaining teams were still very happy to take pictures with the audience.

The Man Duong team is the winner. However, the members of the remaining teams were still very happy to take pictures with the audience.

Nhat Quang

Translated by NDO

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