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CHAM VILLAGE, VIETNAM, September 25, 2003: The Cham ethnic group’s Kate Festival opened at the Cham Village in Phuoc Huu commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province, on Wednesday. The festival, held annually on the first ten days of the seventh month of the Cham Calendar, is an occasion for the Cham people to express their gratitude to their God, who is both creator of the universe and a national hero. Aside from a ritual performance in traditional Cham costumes, this year’s Kate Festival also includes cultural exchange activities and the Cham’s traditional and modern sporting contests. This contest will draw 715 Cham athletes and craftsmen from Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Hai and Ninh Son districts, and Phan Rang-Thap Cham Township. They will compete in volleyball, football, tug of war and relay races and traditional sports events such as brocade making and water jug wearing. HPI adds: The yearly Kate festival attracts thousands of Cham people to the ancient Hindu hill temple of Po Klaung Gerai. Their brahmin priests perform abhishekam of the Mukhalinga while Cham music and folk dance are performed in the temple courtyard. Click for more on the events here.

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