River God Worship Ceremony of the Thai People in Muong Lay
The River God Worship Ceremony (also known as "Kin Pang Nam") is an important traditional ceremony of the Thai people in Muong Lay, Dien Bien province. This is a ceremony with strong spiritual elements, expressing the worship of river gods and water gods - gods who control water resources, directly affecting the daily life and production of the community.

Purpose of the ceremony
The festival is to pray for favorable weather, abundant water resources, bountiful crops and a peaceful life. The Thai people believe that rivers and water are the source of life that nourishes people, so it is necessary to express gratitude and pray to the gods to bless the water to always be clean, without floods or droughts.

Time and location
Time: Usually held at the beginning of the rainy season (March - April of the lunar calendar).
Location: The ceremony usually takes place on the banks of the Da River or at large streams in the Muong Lay area.
Main rituals in the ceremony
The River God Worship Ceremony is presided over by village elders, shamans or prestigious people in the village. The main rituals include:

Preparing offerings - Offerings include chicken, sticky rice, wine, river fish, fruits and some local products.

Sacrificial ceremony - The shaman reads a prayer in Thai, asking the river god to bless the village with an abundant water source and to avoid natural disasters.

Releasing offerings into the river - Part of the offerings is released into the water as a way to express gratitude to the gods.

Festival - After the ceremony, people often organize fun activities such as throwing con, tug of war, Then singing and Xoe dancing.

Meaning of the festival
The River God Worship Ceremony not only demonstrates folk beliefs but also contributes to connecting the community, preserving traditional culture and reminding descendants about the awareness of protecting the environment and water resources.

This festival is still preserved and held in some Thai villages in Muong Lay, contributing to enriching the ethnic cultural identity here.