Carrying rice in baskets during M'nong funerals.

The basket is an indispensable item in the daily life and production activities of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Among them, the M'nong people in Lak district have a unique type of basket: a basket used to collect rice for funerals.

The M'nong people's funeral baskets are smaller than other types, measuring 17-27 cm in height. They are woven diagonally using a double-joint technique, forming a cylindrical shape with a square base made from two crossed bamboo strips forming an X shape. The rim is made of bent bamboo and securely fastened with rattan. Two rattan straps are woven from the bottom and threaded through the rim.

The M'nong people's traditional ceremonial baskets are on display at the Dak Lak Museum.

Almost every M'nong family in Lak district owns this type of basket, and it's only used when there's a funeral in the village. The villagers use the basket to hold rice donated to the bereaved family; usually, each family contributes a small basket of rice.

According to Elder Do Khai (from Drung hamlet, Yang Tao commune, Lak district), according to the customs of the M'nong people, whenever a family in the hamlet has a death, the entire hamlet comes to offer condolences and help the family with the funeral arrangements. In return for the kindness of the villagers, the bereaved family organizes meals for the villagers to eat during the days they stay to help. Because of the large number of people, this rice contribution aims to share the difficulties with the bereaved family.

The collection of baskets is on display at the Dak Lak Museum.

It can be said that, in addition to being used in daily work, the basket has also become a beautiful aspect of the M'nong people's cultural life, reflecting the bond and sharing among members of the village community.

To preserve and showcase the unique cultural features and practical uses of the woven basket in the daily life and work of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands, the Dak Lak Museum has collected and is currently preserving a collection of over 100 baskets from the Ede, M'nong, J'rai, and other ethnic groups. Among them, the woven basket used for collecting rice for funerals by the M'nong people in Lak district is a particularly unique artifact.

Hieu Lam

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202503/gui-gop-gao-trong-tang-ma-cua-nguoi-mnong-c270f01/