The annual Kate Festival of the Cham people takes place on the 1st of the 7th month in the Cham lunar calendar, typically falling at the end of September or the beginning of October in the Gregorian calendar. This grand festival spans two to three days and features a wide array of distinctive cultural and traditional arts and activities of the Cham community.

About Kate Festival

The Kate Festival is an integral part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Cham people, reflecting various cultural aspects, customs, traditions, beliefs, religious practices, and arts related to the Cham community's socio-economic and cultural life.

The significance of the Kate Festival

The Cham ethnic group has three major festivals, namely Rija Nưgar, Kate, and Cabbur. Rija Nưgar marks the Cham New Year and is equivalent to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, as it commences on the first day of the Cham calendar's first month, signifying the traditional New Year's Day for the entire Cham community. Kate is the festival of offerings to the heavens, while Cabbur is the festival of offerings to the earth. Kate, at one point in time, had faded away but has been recently revived, preserving the spiritual essence of the Cham people during these sacred and joyous festival days.

Colorful festival of Cham people during Kate Festival

How the Kate Festival is organized?

The Kate Festival spans three days and is packed with cultural activities deeply rooted in the Cham community. The largest celebration takes place in Ninh Thuan, which is home to the largest Cham population.

The first day of the Kate Festival is marked by a procession where the Raglai people carry the divine clothing of the gods back to the Cham villages in areas with shrines dedicated to those deities. The procession and reception of the Cham people's garments are carried out with great solemnity and feature distinctive Cham traditional cultural performances in Huu Duc Village.

One of the largest festivals of the Cham community

The second day is the most spectacular part of the festival and is held at the Po Klong Garai Tower. This day features rituals such as the procession of the gods' clothing to the tower, the opening ceremony of the tower, cleansing the deity statues, dressing the deities in their garments, and other traditional ceremonies.

The third day involves celebrations in various villages and households. Family members come together to pray for their ancestors and benevolent spirits to watch over them and bring prosperity and good fortune to their descendants.

Kate Festival is a unique cultural feature of the Cham people

A vibrant celebration of Kate Festival 2024

The Cham people of Vietnam, particularly those residing in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, are gearing up for their most significant annual celebration - the Kate Festival.

Ninh Thuan's Kate celebration

Scheduled for October 1st to 3rd, 2024, this year's Kate in Ninh Thuan promises to blend traditional rituals, cultural performances, and community gatherings. The main festival will be hosted at three prominent Cham towers: Po Klong Garai, Po Rome, and Po Inư Nưgar. The highlight of the event will be the procession of ceremonial attire to the towers, the opening ceremony of the main tower, and the grand Kate offering ceremony on the morning of October 2nd.

The festival stands as a testament to the cultural diversity of the ethnic groups in Vietnam

Beyond these traditional rituals, the local community will organize various folk games, competitions, and art performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Cham people. Visitors can expect to see traditional Cham pottery demonstrations, cultural performances, and culinary competitions, offering an immersive experience.

Binh Thuan's Kate celebration

Binh Thuan will also be celebrating the Katê festival from October 1st to 2nd, 2024. One of the highlights of the festival will be the official announcement of the golden Linga found at Po Dam tower as a national treasure. The festival, spanning from October 1st to 2nd, will feature a combination of traditional ceremonies and festive activities.

The golden Linga is considered one of the treasures of the Cham people

The first day will commence with a prayer ceremony and a sacred dance to invoke the divine. The afternoon will see a kèn Saranai competition, a unique Cham musical instrument, along with competitions for the most beautifully decorated offerings. The evening will be illuminated by a cultural exchange program featuring performances by Cham artists from various districts.

On the second day, the official opening ceremony will be held, followed by the announcement of the golden Linga as a national treasure. The highlight of the day will be the procession of the ceremonial attire of the goddess Po Sah Inư to the main tower. The ceremony will conclude with a grand feast and community gatherings.

The Kate Festival also symbolizes family bonding

The Kate Festival of Cham people in 2024 is a celebration of culture, spirituality, and community. It is a time when the Cham people come together to showcase their traditions, reconnect with their spirituality, and share their rich cultural heritage with the world. As visitors travel to Vietnam and immerse themselves in the festivities, they not only witness a vibrant spectacle but also gain a profound insight into the Cham way of life.