The intoxicating effects of rice wine...

Amidst the dry, sunny weather of the red basalt soil region in the last days of the year, the strong aroma of fermented rice wine begins to emanate from the stilt houses in Knia 1 village (Ea Nuôl commune).

Beside the longhouse, Mrs. H'Nang Hmok is busy preparing the biggest batch of rice wine of the year. At 66 years old, having spent more than half a century working with rice wine jars and bamboo straws, her hands move skillfully and meticulously in every step of the process.

Ms. H'Nang shared: "Making rice wine isn't difficult, but to have a delicious pot of wine, you need a calm mind and skillful hands." According to the folk experience of the Ede people, the timing of fermentation greatly determines the flavor. They usually choose days with bright sunshine and dry winds for fermentation. At that time, the yeast, encountering the warmth of the earth and sky, ferments evenly, creating a characteristic sweet and refreshing taste, without being harsh or strong.

Ms. H'Năng Hmok is preparing a batch of rice wine for the Lunar New Year.

The process of making rice wine by the Ede people may seem simple, but it is actually a meticulous undertaking. After cooking, the rice is spread evenly on a tray to cool completely, then yeast is sprinkled on it and clean rice husks are added to create aeration. The special thing about the wine is balancing the right amount of yeast for each batch, creating a mild and pleasant taste.

The mixture is poured into a jar. The jar is carefully and tightly sealed with two layers of clean banana leaves and plastic wrap on the outside to protect it from heat. According to Mrs. H'Nang's experience, the jar must be placed in a cool, airy place, protected from wind and disturbance. The wine can be consumed after at least two weeks of fermentation, but for a truly rich flavor, the longer it ferments, the more the wine's taste permeates and the aroma infuses into every fiber of the stilt house's wood.

What is admirable about Ms. H'Nang is that she doesn't let her craft remain solely for self-sufficiency. With an open mind, she has utilized social media to bring the flavors of the red basalt soil region to all corners of the country. Visitors from afar can now easily order delicious jars of rice wine through the pictures she posts. Thanks to this, every Tet holiday, her family not only earns a stable income but also contributes to promoting the ethnic group's cultural identity in a vibrant and practical way.

Ms. H'Năng Hmok instructs her relatives on how to make traditional rice wine.

In the cozy atmosphere, H'Phước Bkrông, H'Năng's niece, attentively observed her aunt performing each step. She expressed: "I'm learning from my aunt not only to learn how to make rice wine, but also to preserve the cultural heritage of my family, so that in the future, in the spaciousness of our stilt house, the whole family can still gather and share a cup of wine together..."

Ms. H'Phước Bkrông's sharing reflects the sentiments of many families during important family and village occasions. Whenever Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives in the village, as the traditional dance begins, the jar of rice wine is placed prominently in the center of the house. Everyone gathers, sharing a drink, sharing stories about farming, the harvest, or the village. The wine warms hearts, brings people closer together, and carries wishes for a peaceful and happy new year for everyone.

Despite remaining concerns about passing on the traditional rice wine-making craft to the younger generation, as Mr. Doan The Vinh (an official from the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Ea Nuol commune) shared, the locality is striving to integrate the traditional craft with community tourism to create sustainable livelihoods for the people in the area. Looking at the dedicated eyes of Mrs. H'Nang and the continuation by Ms. H'Phuoc, it is believed that the sound of the gongs will continue to resonate, and the intoxicating aroma of rice wine will remain strong in every stilt house in the sun-drenched, windswept mountains…

Song Quynh

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/van-hoa/202602/men-ruou-can-ngat-ngay-ad57e47/