The traditional clay firecracker festival of the northern province of Hai Duong opened on February 25 in the national special relics complex Con Son – Kiep Bac, with the event drawing the participation of more than 200 firecracker makers.
Legend has it that during the time of Hai Ba Trung (Trung sisters), female general Le Chan asked her soldiers to make clay firecrackers in order to create loud explosions to threaten the foreign invaders. Since then, clay firecrackers has become a traditional game played at festivals.
Firecrackers are produced using clay. Each clay firecracker weighs between 30kg and 80kg.
The festival draws the participation of seven teams, including more than 200 firecracker makers from Ninh Giang, Tu Ky, and Gia Loc districts.
Selecting clay, which is free from impurities, is key to making firecrackers that can create loud bangs when they are thrown against the ground.
Firecracker makers must be in good health and have experience in clay firecracker contests.
Clay firecrackers are a traditional folk game which is played in the northern region that involves hurling clay crackers to create noise.
It is done to pray for good harvests and no natural disasters in the year ahead.
It is believed that the louder the noise is, then the more bountiful the crops will be in the year to come.
The event is held as part of the ongoing Con Son-Kiep Bac 2023 spring festival which is currently taking place in Hai Duong province.
Source: VOV - english.vov.vn - Feb 26, 2024
