The sacred health worship ceremony of the Ede people

Offering health is an important ritual in the spiritual life of the Ede people in Dak Lak after each crop season.

This is not only an occasion for children to show their filial piety and respect for their grandparents and parents, but also to express their wishes for protection, health and peace from the gods and ancestors. The ceremony is usually held for people aged 50 to 70. Depending on their conditions, each family can hold it three, five or seven times in their lifetime for their loved ones. The offering tray usually includes chicken, pig, buffalo or cow... along with jars of rice wine that are solemnly prepared. One jar is for the ancestors, five jars are for the health of the celebrant, and the rest are for guests.

The gongs resound throughout the three parts of the ceremony. The beginning is to invite the ancestors to attend, pray for health, and give blessings. After each offering, the celebrant and the shaman eat a piece of rice and drink a sip of rice wine, as a way to receive luck. The shaman also performs the ritual of giving a bronze bracelet, a symbol of sustainability and prosperity, to the person being offered, then the children and grandchildren take turns wearing the bracelet and giving gifts. For every elder in the village, being able to hold a health offering ceremony is an honor, marking a milestone in life.

The festival space blends the sound of gongs, wine, and the solidarity of families and communities, creating the sacred and humane cultural colors of the Ede people in the Central Highlands.