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Cham people in Ninh Thuan celebrate Kate festival 
Major activities will take place in temples, towers and central areas in villages and towns on October 19 morning.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Binh said a ceremony to receive a certificate recognizing the Kate festival as a national tangible heritage will also be held in Po Klong Garai and Po Rome towers and Po Inungar shrine on October 19 morning.

Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chau Thanh Hai said visitors to the event could witness rituals such as a costume procession, the opening of tower gates, genie statue bathing as well as enjoy Gi Nang drum and Saranai horn sounds.

Falling on the first day of the seventh month of the Cham calendar, Kate is the most popular Cham festival in Ninh Thuan. It reminds the ethnic Brahman community of their ancient gods and delivers wishes for bumper harvests and the growth of all beings.  

The Cham people have several distinctive festivals including the Ramuwan, the Rija Nugar, and the Chabun.

There are about 153,000 Cham people in Vietnam, including approximately 72,500 people in Ninh Thuan. Over 43,000 of them, scattered across 12 communes in seven districts, follow the Brahmin religion.

Source: VNA