The event attracted many locals and tourists, presenting a vibrant picture of the cultural and religious life of the people of the Central Highlands.
D'Ran commune in Lam Dong province is a land rich in cultural identity, home to the Chu Ru ethnic community, who have lived there for generations and are closely associated with wet rice farming . Throughout history, traditional cultural values have been preserved as an integral part of the spiritual life of the local people.
From customs, traditions, and farming knowledge to folk art forms such as gong music and Aria dance, all create a distinctive cultural space, reflecting the harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual world .
In the traditional ritual system, the harvest festival holds a particularly important role. It is not only an occasion for the community to express gratitude to Yang (the deity) for granting a bountiful harvest, but also marks the end of the agricultural production cycle and the beginning of a new season filled with expectations. The festival therefore carries profound spiritual significance and serves as a space for community activities that foster strong bonds.
The ceremony was reenacted at the event in the traditional sequence. It began with offerings of familiar items such as new rice, rice wine, paddy, and livestock (chicken or pig), representing the fruits of labor and the reverence of people towards the deities. This was followed by the sacrificial ritual, in which the blood of the sacrificed animal was used to smear the ceremonial pole before it was erected, as a way of connecting the human world with the divine world.
The most important part of the ceremony is the Yang prayer performed by the village elder. In the solemn atmosphere, the prayer resonates as a summary of the past harvest season, while also conveying wishes for a new year of favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peace for the community. After the ceremony, the atmosphere becomes more lively with community activities where people participate in singing and dancing, enjoy rice wine, and share their joy.
Attending the Chu Ru ethnic group's rice harvest festival in person at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village, Ms. Nguyen Nhung (Cau Giay ward, Hanoi) shared: “ Previously, I only knew about the rice harvest festival through books, newspapers, or online videos, but witnessing it firsthand, I was truly impressed. The festival atmosphere was very vibrant, from the traditional costumes and gong music to the rituals deeply rooted in the agricultural beliefs of the Chu Ru people.”
Sharing the same sentiment, Mr. Nguyen Long (Hoan Kiem ward) was delighted to watch the Chu Ru ethnic people reenact the new rice harvest festival at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village.
Mr. Long shared: “ The festival atmosphere was very intimate yet also sacred. I was impressed with how the people preserved traditional rituals such as worshipping the rice god, dancing, singing, and community activities. Everything was authentic, simple, yet captivating, helping viewers clearly feel the cultural and spiritual life of the Chu Ru people. This is a rare opportunity for people in Hanoi like me to directly access and learn about the unique cultural values of our ethnic groups without having to travel far.”
Recreating the New Rice Harvest Festival at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village not only contributes to the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage values, but also creates opportunities for the public, especially the younger generation, to better understand the rich spiritual life of ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
Source: https://congluan.vn/doc-dao-le-mung-lua-moi-cua-dan-toc-chu-ru-giua-long-thu-do-10338715.html
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