Cabur Tet: A Living Cultural Heritage of the Cham Community in Tan Thanh
Cabur Tet is one of the most important traditional festivals of the Cham people in Tan Thanh Commune, Lam Dong province, reflecting their spiritual life, cultural identity and deep respect for ancestors and nature. Beyond its ritual significance, the festival strengthens community bonds and contributes to preserving traditional values in modern society.
A Spiritual Anchor for the Community
Muli Village is a long-established Cham settlement with more than 310 households and about 1,550 residents. Most villagers earn a living by cultivating dragon fruit and working at agricultural depots. Despite economic challenges, the community remains deeply committed to safeguarding its cultural traditions, which are seen as a vital spiritual anchor and a unifying force.
Each year, the Cham people in Muli Village observe three major festivals. Ky Yen, held early in the Cham calendar year, prays for favorable weather and good harvests. The Kate Festival—the most significant celebration for Balamon followers—takes place in the seventh month of the Cham calendar to honor deities and ancestors. Cabur Tet, the second most important festival, marks the close of the agricultural cycle and the beginning of the harvest season.
According to Cham beliefs, the Cabur Tet is held at mausoleums and towers to express gratitude to heaven, earth and nature for prosperity and peace.
Prayers for Peace and Prosperity
During Cabur Tet, the Cham people pay tribute to Mother Goddess Po Inu Nagar and the Earth Deity, praying for good health, harmony and abundant harvests for each household and the community at large. Rituals are conducted solemnly with traditional offerings, while festive activities create an atmosphere of warmth, unity and optimism for the year ahead.
The festival also serves as an intergenerational gathering, where elders and younger members share experiences, exchange farming knowledge and reinforce cultural continuity.
Culture and Development Hand in Hand
According to Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Tan Thanh Commune People’s Committee, the Cham community in Muli Village has made notable contributions to local socio-economic development in recent years. Residents have donated land and labor to improve rural infrastructure, while actively preserving cultural practices in alignment with community-based tourism development.
By blending cultural preservation with economic progress, the Cham people continue to enrich Tan Thanh Commune with a distinct cultural identity and a shared vision for sustainable growth.