Banh Tet - Cultural integration and preserving today's Tet traditions

Banh Tet is a symbol of cultural integration, reflecting the process of interaction between the Vietnamese and Cham people (Vietnam) as well as the inheritance of cultural values ​​from previous generations. At the same time, it also plays an important role in preserving and recreating Tet traditions, and is an impressive feature in the feast of important Vietnamese holidays.

Southern Tet culinary traditions

I don't know when, banh tet has become an indispensable part of the Tet feast of Southern people.

Before making Banh Tet, you need to process the ingredients. The process of soaking beans and sticky rice is very important...

If in the North, Tet is often associated with green banh chung, accompanying the story of "banh chung and banh day" of the 18th prince of King Hung, symbolizing round heaven and square earth, then in the South, banh chung and banh day Tet also contains unique stories about its origin and meaning.

According to traditional customs, a pot of banh tet is often cooked on New Year's Eve, creating a cozy and prosperous atmosphere during the family reunion on Tet. The whole family waited around the cake pot, enjoying these special moments.

Cut the pork into equal length pieces to make the filling. Usually people use pork fat to make banh tet, but if you don't like it, you can replace it with lean meat. Next, marinate the meat with spices... then wrap the cake.

During Tet, Southern people often prepare two main types of banh tet: vegetarian banh tet and salty banh tet. Vegetarian banh tet is often offered to grandparents, heaven and earth, while salty banh tet is used in meals, often accompanied by bamboo shoots, pickles and braised meat. These two types of cakes not only enrich the feast but also carry deep traditional values ​​of Southern culture.

Origin of banh tet on Tet holiday

Some cultural researchers believe that the Banh Tet blow, which Southerners favor during Tet today, may be the result of cultural interference with the Cham Vietnamese or preservation and inheritance. values ​​from previous generations. When the Vietnamese expanded their land in the South, they absorbed religious elements from Cham culture, especially the belief in worshiping the rice god, creating the type of banh tet we know today.

Cooking cakes is also very elaborate. First, put the banh tet sticks in a large pot and boil with a few banana leaves at the bottom of the pot.

In addition to the origin of banh tet as a result of cultural interference, our grandparents also passed on fascinating stories about the formation of banh tet. One of the famous legends is the story of King Quang Trung in his fight against the Qing army on Tet. In that context, King Quang Trung decided to let his soldiers rest.

Cook the cake over medium heat for 3.5 - 4 hours. After cooking for half the time, turn the cake over to cook again. At this time, you need to pay attention to regularly adding water, do not let the pot run out of water.

A soldier brought to the king a cake wrapped in a cylindrical banana leaf. While enjoying it, the king praised it's deliciousness and asked about this type of cake. The soldier replied that this was the kind of cake that his wife back home often packed to eat on the go. Every time he ate it, he remembered his wife and his hometown.

King Quang Trung was moved and ordered everyone to wrap this type of cake to eat on Tet, giving it the familiar name Tet cake. This is considered the origin of Tet cake in traditional Vietnamese holidays.

After cooking, we hang the Tet cake up to drain. Banh tet can be stored at room temperature for 5 days, in the refrigerator for 10 days, and frozen for 1 month. If storing in the freezer, you need to re-boil the cake before using.

Why is it called banh tet?

Just like its origin, the name "banh tet" also contains many different explanations. As mentioned before, banh tet is often also known as "banh tet," and over time, due to regional language characteristics, people often read "banh tet" as "banh tet". "

Another explanation is also given that the word "tet" comes from the act of cutting the cake when eating this type of cake. Users often use circular wire to cut off the top of the peeled cake, "smearing" each small circle. Therefore, local people named this cake "banh tet", symbolizing this special act of cutting the cake.

The Meaning of Banh Tet during Tet

According to the views of our ancestors, all cakes and foods used during Tet carry the meaning of remembrance of our predecessors, as well as the wish for prosperity and family togetherness, symbolizing Thank heaven and earth for a favorable rice season. Banh tet, traditionally wrapped in the outermost layer of leaves, symbolizes the image of a mother embracing her child, expressing the desire for reunion in every Vietnamese family during Tet. Not only that, green banh tet with yellow bean paste also reminds of the green color of the farm, symbolizing the dream of "settle down" in a peaceful spring for everyone.

During Tet, Banh Tet carries the meaning of remembrance of predecessors, as well as the wish for prosperity and family togetherness, a symbol of gratitude to heaven and earth for bestowing a favorable rice season.

Although banh tet seems simple, it contains many meanings, symbolizing the expectation of family togetherness and prosperity. Therefore, according to Tet tradition, from the evening of the 29th and 30th of Tet, the whole family will gather around the cake pot, children play, while adults wrap cakes together, creating a cozy and happy atmosphere. of the Tet season./.