Gia Lai: Unique rain-praying ceremony on the top of Chu Tao Yang sacred mountain

(CLO) The rain-praying ceremony was solemnly held on the top of Chu Tao Yang Mountain - where 14 Fire Kings once ruled over the Central Highlands. This is not just a simple agricultural ritual but has become a custom, a unique form of cultural and religious activity of the Jrai people.

As has become a tradition, every year the People's Committee of Phu Thien district ( Gia Lai ) busily organizes the Yang Potao Apui rain-praying ceremony on the top of the sacred mountain Chu Tao Yang at the Plei Oi national historical relic site (Ayun Ha commune, Phu Thien district).

The rain-praying ritual takes place at the peak of the dry season, a time when severe droughts often occur, with the hope that the weather will be favorable all year round, crops will be good, and people will have a prosperous and happy life.

In 2025, the rain-praying ceremony was held 1 month earlier than every year. The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Siu Pho (assistant to the 14th Fire King) along with the village elders and supporting artisans.

The ceremony was held solemnly, testified by the whole village. The offerings in the ceremony were a black male pig without white spots, 3 jars of Jobo wine. The items used in the ceremony included a bronze bowl, 5 white porcelain bowls, 5 bamboo wine tubes, beeswax rolled into candles, beautiful sticky rice, pre-cut meat, etc.

When the offerings were completed and the time had come, Mr. Rah Lan Hieo - the 14th Fire King's assistant, prayed and took rice from the bowl and sprinkled it on the mat to invite the Mountain God, River God, Wood God, and Stone God to attend the festival.

Under the sacred tree (Phun Kyao Yang), the shaman prays to the gods, heaven and earth for favorable weather, for all things to grow and flourish, for trees to flourish, and for them to survive in harmony with nature; for the gods to help people master their lives, for the villagers to be united, healthy, to overcome all natural disasters and enemies, and to keep the village prosperous.

Mr. Siu Pho, assistant of Mr. Rah Lan Hieo, poured wine and meat into a bronze bowl and poured it into the graves of the dead Potao Apui (fire kings), explained the reason for performing the ritual and praying for the dead fire kings to bless the above prayers to come true and for the sky to bring rain.

The rain-praying ceremony has long been not only a simple agricultural ritual but has become a custom, a unique form of cultural and religious activity.

In conjunction with the rain-praying ceremony, the People's Committee of Phu Thien district also organized many unique cultural and sports activities of ethnic areas in Phu Thien district such as: The 14th District Ethnic Minority Cultural and Sports Competition in 2023, gong performances, weaving, brocade weaving, folk games... attracting 300 artisans from 10 communes and towns to participate.

Within the framework of the festival, there is also an agricultural market introducing OCOP products, local products, and souvenirs to serve the shopping, sightseeing, and dining needs of tourists.

Many booths are decorated eye-catchingly at the Plei Oi National Historical Site.

In addition to the rain-praying ceremony in Ayun Ha commune, some communes also organize unique cultural activities such as the water procession. This ritual is typical of Jrai culture, creating heritage connections, enriching the experience for visitors when coming to the land of the Fire King.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Ngo - Vice Chairman of Phu Thien District People's Committee said: "The rain-praying ceremony, in addition to the purpose of preserving and promoting the unique indigenous cultural values, contributes to creating positive changes for the tourism sector and promoting socio-economic development. Incorporated in the ceremony are many activities such as sports festivals, agricultural markets, water wharf worship ceremonies, etc.

Through this event, the district wishes to promote its image, people, introduce the potential for tourism development, promote investment attraction, cooperation and linkage between the district and localities inside and outside the province. From there, it aims to create a premise to build a typical tourism product of the district, focusing on preserving and promoting the value of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yang Potao Apui Rain Praying Ceremony of Phu Thien district as well as the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities.

Tran Hien

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/gia-lai-doc-dao-le-cung-cau-mua-tren-dinh-nui-than-chu-tao-yang-post340427.html