Fine custom of black pig offering in Tan Phuong

Updated: 18:30, 12/03/2025

BAC GIANG - The black pig offering (also called Mr. Lang offering) ceremony was held on March 10 (11th days of the second lunar month) in 2025 in Tan Phuong residential group of Tan My ward in Bac Giang city (Bac Giang province) to commemorate Hoang Pho Lang, a high-ranking mandarin during the Le Dynasty and also the first intellectual of the area.

He was born and raised in the ancient village of Phung Phap, which is now Tan Phuong residential group. During his lifetime, he was known for his extensive knowledge and academic achievements, having achieved top scores in three imperial examinations.

The procession heads to Tan Phuong shrine - where the "Mr. Lang" offering ceremony is held.

He made significant contributions to the local community, such as reclaiming land, taking care of agricultural activities and improving the living conditions of the locals. To commemorate his contributions, the villagers established a shrine to worship him.

According to local elderly, pork used to be considered a valuable food source, with black pork being even more rare and precious, in the village in the past when the local economy was difficult. Therefore, as a gesture of gratitude and respect, the villagers chose black pigs as offerings for the ceremony.

This year, 23 families and individuals offer black pigs to commemorate Hoang Pho Lang.

The black pig offering ceremony experienced a decline during the wars, but over the past 30 years, the custom has been revived by the local until today.

Previously, the ceremony was held on the 12th day of the second lunar month. However, due to the improved living standards of the people and the increasing number of offerings, the ceremony is held a day earlier to treat the villagers and visitors the next day.

This year, 23 families, associations and individuals in the residential group had pig offering. Since early morning, all pigs were bathed with ginger water and adorned with red silk ribbons to participate in a special local ritual taking place in the residential group.

Representatives of families, associations, organizations and individuals drew numbers from 4 to 23; the first 3 processions were arranged and selected by the organizing committee. After that, the groups carried the offerings to the communal house to perform the ceremony.

At around 7:30 a.m., the procession began, led by the lion dance team, drums and gongs, followed by the sacrificial team, flag team, incense offering team and the offerings.

Black pigs are brought into the shrine for the ceremony.

As the black pigs were brought into shrine, a representative selected by the locals read a prayer expressing gratitude for the great contributions of Hoang Pho Lang to promote the tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source”, praying for national peace and prosperity, family health and children’s academic progress.

When the ceremony was completed, the black pigs were returned to their respective families to be used as offerings for feasts, inviting children, relatives, and extended family members as well as visitors gathering at the shrine on March 11 (12th days of the second lunar month).

The event also featured cultural exchange and folk games that attracted a large number of people.

Tuong Vi