Vietnamese men celebrate annual spring tug-of-war
VOV.VN - Located along banks of the Red river, the ancient villages in Long Bien still maintain their traditional rituals and games.
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The tug of war in the Ngoc Tri Village in the Long Bien District of Hanoi is a traditional game that takes place annually each spring. |
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The game represents local people’s wish for prosperity and good luck in the new year. |
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The tug of war game has become an indispensable activity in Ngoc Tri Village whenever spring arrives. |
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According to the village rules, each team has from 11 to 17 people who must come from families of good reputation from either of the three areas of Duong, Cho and Dia in the village. |
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On the festival day, the players stand in three lines. The three heads of the team present offerings to the village temple. |
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Following a ritual and reading of the rules, the players run around Quan Xa road, which is considered a solemn village road, then congregate at the competing ground. |
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A pole is erected firmly in the ground. A rope is put through a hole in the pole and the players sit with one leg bent and the other stretched with the rope under their arms. |
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The tug of war begins when a village leader gives the start command. |
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The festival attracts many villagers. Before the festival, each team spends a lot of time practicing positions to make full use of their strength. |
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