At the "Am Duong" market, buyers do not bargain and sellers do not count money in the Kinh Bac region

ANTD.VN - Am Duong Market is currently a unique market in Kinh Bac. Meeting only once a year. Am Duong Market has a mysterious color and is a very meaningful form of cultural and folk belief activities of the people here.

ANTD.VN - Am Duong Market is currently a unique market in Kinh Bac. Meeting only once a year. Am Duong Market has a mysterious color and is a very meaningful form of cultural and folk belief activities of the people here.

Every night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of the Lunar New Year, in O village (now Xuan O area, Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh city) the Am Duong market takes place.

According to preserved documents, in the year Nham Dan (year 43) AD, the Han Dynasty ordered Ma Vien to bring troops to fight Hai Ba Trung. The enemy army attacked Vu Ninh town, Tien Du district (Bac Ninh province) and met Hai Ba Trung's army and there was a fierce battle, many soldiers died.

After the battle, the soldiers' relatives returned to search for their loved ones during the Lunar New Year. Gradually, people came to believe that the gates of the underworld were only opened once a year, on the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of January for people in the underworld to meet their relatives. From there, the Am Duong market was born.

There is still a popular belief that among the stream of people coming to this market, there will be dead relatives returning to visit family and friends. Going to the market is also a way to encourage each other to overcome the sadness of losing loved ones.

The market does not use high-pressure lights at all, but only candles to illuminate the goods, making the market space dimmer than ever. The people who go to the market absolutely do not talk or laugh loudly for fear of spooking the spirits, so they only buy and sell, exchanging whispers with each other, creating an even more awkward appearance.

Most people come to Am Duong market just to pray for luck, not too interested in trading. Therefore, there are usually no bargains from buyers or price challenges from sellers.

Am Duong Market mainly sells votive offerings and incense used to burn for the deceased, in addition to selling wine, betel and areca nut, salt and fruits offered on the altar such as papaya, apple...

There is a very special type of product sold at the market: black chicken, a symbol of mysticism and spirituality. Only those who are lucky can squeeze in and choose a black chicken for themselves. Therefore, black chicken shops are always crowded and bustling, with people coming in and out constantly.

In the middle of the market intersection, people set up a tray of porridge with the wish that the dead will be well-fed

The market ended, many people invited each other to drink water, eat betel, and sing mandarin songs. Those who returned from the market were happy because they thought this was an opportunity to do good and show their thoughts to the deceased.

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Update day : 08/02/2024