Welcome to THE BLOG on Đạo Mẫu

Welcome!




This blog will present the cultural treasures of Đạo Mẫu, the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Religion. Đạo Mẫu is a syncretic belief system composed of Buddhism, Daoism and Shamanism. The religious practices of this tradition culminate in annual ceremonies called, Hầu Thánh, which mean "to serve the saints." Other names are "lên đồng," "hầu đồng," and "hầu bóng."

During Hầu Thánh, a medium or several mediums will incarnate different deities while entranced. The deities come one after another, each accompanied by different costumes and musical arrangement. These musical pieces are called "Chầu Văn" and are important highlights of the ceremony.

This blog will delve into the world of Đạo Mẫu to offer its readers greater understanding of this cultural tradition. We will explore the backgrounds of the different spirits by discussing their histories, festivals, chầu văn lyrics, and actions. Come along for the journey!



Information on this blog is not meant to be an authoritative source on Đạo Mẫu. Regional variations exist in Hầu Thánh practices.