ha nhi ethnic people remember the dead picture 1
The ritual is held annually during the spring. Three years after someone dies, family members visit the grave, cleaning it and preparing offerings for an outdoor ritual to be held in tribute to the ancestors.
The host family often visit the grave from early morning and makes preparations for the ritual.
A variety of different dishes and wine are then laid out on banana leaves. Following the prayer, the host family then burn incense on the grave.
Some are so moved to burst into tears while carrying out the ritual as they pay tribute to their ancestors.
The Ha Nhi believe that only after this ceremony when the grave of the deceased is renewed will their ancestors truly enjoy peace in the other world.
During the reverence ritual, all family members must don traditional Ha Nhi costumes.
Before they leave for home, family members enjoy a lunch in front of the grave, an act which shows the solidarity of the Ha Nhi ethnic people through various generations.