The Cham is one of the ethnic minorities in Vietnam, living mainly in Ninh Thuan province.
Every year, at the beginning of the 7th month of the Cham calendar (about October of the solar calendar), the Cham organize their traditional festival ‑ the "Ka Te" festival. According to popular belief, the selection of the 7th month on the Cham calendar originated from the yin and yiang concept deeply engraved in the cultural and spiritual life of the Cham.
The "Ka Te" festival is dedicated to their Highness ‑ the Mother of Ponagar land (Dame Thien Y A Na), Creator of the Cham (according to the matriarchal system). The "Ka Te" festival also aims to show their veneration and gratitude to the famous kings of the Cham, the mandarins, and the deified ancestors. The Cham address their kings and mandarins as "Pokal". Under the "Pokal" are "Po Play" (village genie), and the "Mu Kay" (ancestors). The "Pokal", "Po Play" and "Mu Kay" are holy dignitaries governing the life of the whole community. Therefore, during the "Ka Te" festival, the Cham pray to the "Pokal", "Po Play" and "Mu Kay" for a peaceful and happy life free from want and care.
The "Ka Te" rituals take place in the order corresponding to the "Pokal", "Po Play" and "Mu Kay".
On the eve of the official festive day, the Cham hold a costume procession at Ponagar Temple (according to popular belief, the Cham Raglai are the youngest children of the Mother of Ponagar land entrusted with the keeping of her costume). After the costume procession come special folk‑dances with the traditional musical instruments: Ginang drum and Saranay bugle. The Cham also perform songs and dances at the Ancient Temple where they are to bring back the costume of the Mother of Ponagar land in a procession to town.
The 1st of the 7th month (on the Cham calendar) is the opening day of the official festival beginning with offerings to the "Pokal". Some dignitaries were chosen to open the door of the Temple. The highest clergyman conducts a water‑offering ceremony to the deities. Then the spiritual adviser prays to the deities for a happy and peaceful life of all the community. The festival‑goers also pray to the deities, some asking their pardon for any sin they thought they might have committed.
The 2nd of the 7th month (on the Cham calendar) is the festive day in the villages. Everybody gather at the village pagodas (known among the Cham as "Thang") to conduct a thanks‑giving ceremony to the "Po Play".
From the 3rd to the 7th of the 7th month are festive days at the families. Every family and every major line of descent prepare a couple of chickens and rice cakes to offer to their ancestors.
During the festive days, everybody, particularly the girls, put on their best traditional costumes, and throng to the Po Klong Grai and Porome Towers to join in the festive rituals and entertainments.
The festival is usually organized at three places: the Porome Tower at Hau Sanh hamlet, Phuoc Huu commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province; the Po Klong Grai Tower at Do Vinh ward, Phan Rang City; and Ponagar Temple at Huu Duc hamlet, Phuoc Huu commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province.-