Cow in front of a cemetry in Tay Ninh with big graves (Vietnam 2006)
Ancestor worship is one of the most unifying aspects of Vietnamese culture, as practically all Vietnamese have an ancestor altar in their home or business. Ancestor worshiping (or ancestral worship) is a religious practice based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, take an interest in the affairs of the world, and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. In Vietnam, traditionally people didn't celebrate birthdays (before western influence) but the death anniversary of a loved one was always an important occasion. Besides an essential gathering of family members for a banquet in memory of the deceased, incense sticks are burned along with attributes as seen in the photo. Great platters of fruit and food are made as offerings on the ancestor altar, which usually has pictures of the deceased.
Size: 5315px × 3543px
Photo credit: © ilse schrama / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ancestor, ancient, animal, asia, cemetry, country, culture, documentary, grave, horizontal, landscape, nam, practice, religion, religious, reportage, ritual, side, tourist, travel, viet, vietnam, vietnamese, worship
