Culture
International Photographer Captures Spirit of Đạo Mẫu
in Vibrant New Photo Book by Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos by Tewfic El-Sawy
Tewfic El-Sawy’ s introduction to Đạo Mẫu, also known as the Mother Goddess religion, began with music.
Traveling through Sapa in 2014, a strange sound captured the attention of the New York-based travel photographer. El-Sawy hung around the building where he’ d heard the music, chatted in sign language with a woman inside, and was later allowed to stay for the hầu đồng ceremony which took place that morning.
“ This is how my journey into the world of Đạo Mẫu … started,” El-Sawy tells Saigoneer via email.“ Totally by accident.”
Fast forward 18 months and the photographer has put the finishing touches on his new photo book, Hau Dong: The Spirit Mediums of Viet Nam. The large format publication features over 100 color photographs of Vietnam’ s lively hầu đồng ceremonies, in which Đạo Mẫu practitioners dress as specific deities or historical figures and act as spirit mediums, channeling the essence of individual deities in their performance.
Practiced mainly in northern Vietnam, followers of the Mother Goddess religion worship four main goddesses: Heaven, Mountains and Forests, Water and Earth. These deities are believed to control all aspects of daily life and are especially helpful for those confronted with issues related to marriage and fertility. When faced with problems, Đạo Mẫu believers will consult a spirit medium by way of the hầu đồng ceremony, in which the medium is able to channel a given spirit, giving followers one-on-one time with a particular deity.
16 The MAG Vung Tau