Fire Dancers (H’mông)
2022 19m HD 16:9
Heritage Shorts #12
In the twelfth of a series of short films from Heritage Centre Sapa in association with Open Cinematic, we meet master shaman Lý A Cha of the Black Hmong ethnic group.
At the centre of Hmong animism is the 'Txiv Neeb', or shaman (literally, 'master of spirits'). During a séance, it is thought that the shaman's soul becomes detached from his or her body and leaves for the spirit world.
During a lunar new year ceremony, guests arrive early bringing gifts of incense, shamanic paper and offerings of pork or chicken. The shaman in charge of this ritual, Lý A Cha, begins the proceedings with a chant, using a mixture of Hmong and an ancient dialect called Mon Draa.
As he chants, Lý A Cha throws the Kuaj Neeb on the ground – a tool for divination made from two halves of a buffalo horn. When both pieces of the Kuaj Neeb land flat side down pointing in opposite directions, it is believed that the spirits have accepted the offerings and are willing to fulfil the wishes of the ceremony's participants.
Throughout, the shaman beats the Nruag Neeb. This gong amplifies the shaman's power. It represents spiritual strength through its penetrating, reverberating sound. It also serves to protect the shaman from evil spirits, like a shield.
The shaman is transported to another world via a 'flying horse', a wooden bench usually no wider than the human body. On his journey, the shaman wears a paper mask that not only blocks out the real world but also acts as a disguise from evil spirits in the spirit world.
Rhythmic dancing takes place, always in same sex quartets, with the dancers dressed in full traditional costume with their bare feet exposed. Each dancer has their own gong and moves in diagonal lines across the space in front of the altar.
As the ceremony enters the afternoon, a second shaman arrives. Giàng A Pho has been studying as an apprentice for many years and is highly regarded in his own right.
Decoratively cut bamboo paper is placed in lines across the floor in front of each participant. The lines of paper are ignited and left to burn. The ashes are then read, allowing the shaman to make statements about people's spiritual health.
Finally, a pyre is constructed from the shamanic paper collected during ceremonies from the previous months or years. The ceremony concludes with a communal feast and the room becomes a place of laughter and story telling which goes on long into the night.
Screenings
Xinê Xem Fest (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam - 10/12/22
Xinê Xem Shorts (Hanoi), Vietnam - 20/08/22
