The Paper Horse Dance

Le Huy

Among the rich tapestry of Vietnam’s ethnic minority traditions, the Nung Din people of Muong Khuong district in Lao Cai province preserve a unique and deeply spiritual art form: the Paper Horse Dance. More than just a folk performance, this dance is a sacred ritual tied to the beliefs and spiritual life of the Nung Din community.

The Paper Horse Dance is typically performed during significant occasions such as village worship ceremonies, ancestral thanksgiving rites, peace offerings, and funerals. In Nung Din belief, the paper horse serves as a sacred medium linking humans with deities, ancestors, and the spiritual realm. The dance is usually perfoermed by a shaman, who acts as the bridge between heaven and earth.

Dressed in traditional costume, the shaman mimics riding a paper horse crafted from bamboo and colored paper. The dancer’s movements are both graceful and deliberate, symbolizing either the journey of a departed soul returning to its ancestors or the divine visitations of deities bestowing blessings upon the village. Accompanied by drumbeats, gongs, and sacred incantations, the ritual creates a mystical atmosphere that draws in the entire community. Today, Nung Din women and youth also participate in the Paper Horse Dance during festivals, helping to preserve and celebrate the traditional beauty of their ethnic heritage.

More than just a spiritual rite, the Paper Horse Dance reflects the cultural richness and strong communal bonds of the Nung Din people. Today, this dance remains a treasured cultural heritage of this ethnic group, cherished and preserved in Tung Chung Pho commune, Muong Khuong district.