VietNamNet Bridge - Ugly images were seen at the Cuop Phet festival in Lap Thach district of Vinh Phuc province on February 14 when hundreds of young men beat each other with their fists and sticks to get the Phet (lucky ball).

The annual Cuop Phet Festival took place at the courtyard of the communal house of Dong Lai village in Ban Gian commune, with fighting for the Phet as the key event.

Cuop Phet (fighting for the lucky ball) was previously a ritual in the festival to commemorate the way the ancient people used to train soldiers. Later, it became a folk game in the annual traditional festival of Dong Lai village.

Phet is a ball made of rare wood, with a diameter of 35 cm. It is believed that anyone who touches the Phet will have luck in the new year.

Before the fight for the Phet starts, the rite to worship four generals was held, chaired by four village elders.

Fighting for the Phet is a nice tradition but today it has been distorted to become a “violent” game when hundreds of young men beat each other with their fists and sticks to get the Phet.

Some pictures taken at the festival this year:

Lễ

Zing/VNN