Mother Goddess worship performed in Malaysia

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Pham Cao Phong, this is part of the Vietnamese Culture Night jointly organised by the Embassy and the Centre for the Study and Preservation of Vietnamese Religion and Culture. 

Addressing the event, Envoy of the Prime Minister on UNESCO issues Pham Sanh Chau said the show aims to give international friends an insight into the unique ritual as well as the diversity of Vietnamese culture. 

The performance is of important significance as the Intergovernmental Committee for UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will consider Vietnam’s dossier seeking UNESCO recognition for the Mother Goddess worship as intangible cultural heritage of humanity in the next ten days, he said. 

The Beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms, originated from Vietnam, has been practiced in numerous northern mountainous provinces across the nation since the 16th century. 

The practitioners are comprised of temple guardians, ritual priests, spirit mediums, mediums’ assistants, musicians who perform the songs for the spirits, disciples and lay adherents who share the same beliefs in the spiritual power, supernatural strength and protection of the Mother Goddess spirit pantheon. All of these practitioners form groups who worship together, take part in traditional festivals and perform spirit possession rituals at temples and palaces dedicated to Mother Goddesses.  

The folk belief shows the respect of children towards their mothers while reflecting the UNESCO spirit of preserving cultural and religious diversity. 

Vietnam is already home to world intangible cultural heritages, including Nha Nhac (royal court music), the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands, Quan Ho (love duets), Ca tru (ceremonial singing) and Hung King worshipping rituals.