“Sacred Femininity” And Cultural Vitality: An Interdisciplinary Study of Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship in the Context of Globalization

Abstract

Abstract Mother Goddess Worship is one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of 2016, which represents a distinct folk belief phenomenon of Vietnam, whereby the power of goddesses is value-added, which occurs in the cosmology, history of humanity, and community. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this article takes into account both religious anthropology and feminist theory as well as performance studies and with emphasis put on the concept of cultural vitality, in order to examine how traditional values are preserved, revolutionized, and reinvented in the environment of globalization, to understand Mother Goddess Worship. Based on data collected from participant observation at “temples” and “places of Mother Goddess Worship”, semi-structured interviews with the practicing community, and analysis of ancient documents, the study clarifies: the symbol of “sacred femininity” constructed through the system of “Three Palaces” - “Four Palaces”, color system, costumes and performances; the role of the “mediumship ceremony” as a form of performing art connecting the community and reaffirming identity; the channels of diffusion and adaptation of Mother Goddess Worship through cultural tourism, international festivals and digital media; the challenges of commercialization and simplification of rituals. The results suggest that Mother Goddess Worship may be understood not only as a cultural heritage phenomenon but also as a sustainable socio-cultural mechanism through which communities maintain identity and adaptive capacity in changing contexts. The article proposes an interpretive analytical framework for research on goddess worship and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in Vietnam's era of integration.