Gongs in the Culture and Festivals of the Ede People

The Gong Culture Space of the Central Highlands has been recognized by UNESCO as a "masterpiece of oral and intangible cultural heritage" of humanity. The Ede people consider gongs the soul of their nation because they contain great values ​​in their spiritual life, customs, and rituals throughout their lives. The sound of the gongs acts as a spiritual thread connecting people with supernatural beings, helping them express their personal and communal wishes to the gods. Gong sets play a leading role in rituals such as housewarming ceremonies, harvest festivals, health blessing ceremonies, weddings, birth ceremonies, good luck ceremonies, funerals, and burial ceremonies.