Localized elements in the Banian Ramuwan Festival

Abstract

The Cham people of Vietnam inherited the cultural history of the ancient Champa country, which developed brilliantly in the past. In the 13th century, the Cham people converted to Islam during maritime trade with Malaysia and Indonesia. However, after the collapse of Champa, the Cham people were no longer in contact with international Islam. Through the historical process of acculturation, the Muslim elements were gradually localized and developed into a local religion, called Bani. Ramuwan is the biggest festival of the Bani Cham people (called by the Cham Awal people). They not only profess Islam, but are also influenced by local culture, which is reflected in mosques, worship, the name and timing of the Ramuvan festival, its rituals, costumes and ritual objects.