The person who opens up livelihood opportunities and keeps the flame of traditional culture alive for Cuôr village.

For over 10 years, village elder Y Jiê Knul (Cuôr hamlet, Ea M'Droh commune) has not only been a respected figure trusted by the villagers, but also a key creator of livelihoods, contributing to building a new, prosperous, and sustainable life for the community.

Báo Đắk Lắk•09/12/2025

For coffee – the main crop providing the primary source of income for the people of Cuôr village – Elder Y Jiê Knul went from house to house, persistently persuading villagers to change their traditional farming practices. He encouraged people to apply advanced techniques in cultivation, such as pruning, fertilizing according to scientific procedures, and pest and disease management. As a result, the yield and quality of coffee in the village have improved significantly.

The elder encouraged the villagers to develop their economy through goat farming.

Encouraged by village elder Y Jiê Knul (far left) , the goat farming model has been replicated, helping many households in Cuôr village develop their economy effectively.

In particular, to increase the income of the people, Elder Y Jiê diligently researched and boldly introduced the goat farming model to Cuôr village. Afterward, he encouraged the villagers to change their traditional farming habits, ending the practice of letting livestock and poultry roam freely, and instead building sturdy, hygienic barns.

"Back then, I didn't just talk; I invited people to visit and learn about proper farming techniques, disease prevention, and animal care from successful livestock models. Today, goat farming has become a stable economic development direction, helping many families in the village earn extra income and feel more confident in their lives," shared village elder Y Jiê Knul. Thanks to this, the goat farming model has been widely adopted, contributing to diversifying livelihoods and increasing income for the people of Cuôr village.

Village elder Y Jiê Knul (far right) meets with and encourages people in Cuôr village to improve their economic situation.

Village elder Y Jiê Knul

(right cover)

Meeting with and encouraging the people of Cuôr village to focus on economic development.

Cuôr village has 362 households, of which ethnic minorities account for over 87%, mainly the Ede people. What makes Cuôr village different is the successful preservation of its almost original Ede cultural identity.

Despite the many changes in life over the years, the sounds of gongs and drums still resonate during festivals, traditional longhouses remain a cultural symbol in Cuôr village, and the craft of brocade weaving is still preserved through the hands of generations of women here.

It is village elder Y Jiê Knul who "keeps the flame alive" for these values. He always believes that economic development must go hand in hand with cultural preservation. He actively teaches and encourages his descendants to wear traditional clothing, learn to play gongs and drums, and maintain beautiful traditional rituals.

What is commendable is that, to this day, the people of Cuôr village still maintain their traditional houses and strive to preserve their ethnic culture so that it does not fade away.

The people of Cuôr village still have many traditional houses of the Ê Đê ethnic group.

The people of Cuôr village still preserve many traditional houses of the Ê Đê ethnic group.

The H'Nha Kbuôr family owns a longhouse considered one of the most beautiful in the village. Thanks to the insightful advice, imbued with love for tradition, from the village elder Y Jiê Knul, Mrs. H'Nha is even more determined to preserve this house, which embodies the pristine, traditional values of the Ê Đê people.

Ms. H'Nha Kbuôr confided that many people from far away came and offered very high prices to buy her longhouse, but she resolutely refused to sell.

There was a time when she was very hesitant due to difficult economic circumstances, but the village elder Y Jiê Knul came to her house in time and sincerely advised her. He said: “The longhouse is not just a place to live, but also the soul of the entire clan. Selling the longhouse is selling tradition. If this house is sold, where will future generations find their roots?” The elder's words awakened H'Nha. She decided to keep the house so that her descendants would still know where they were born and be reminded that they are Êđê people.

It is thanks to this that Cuôr village is known today as one of the rare Êđê villages that still preserves its traditional cultural beauty intact. Behind the peace and development of this village is the diligent and dedicated effort of the village elder, the respected figure Y Jiê Knul – the solid "pillar" of the village.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Mai, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Ea M'Droh commune, influential figures at the grassroots level, such as village elder Y Jiê Knul, are invaluable "extended arms" that help the government effectively implement economic development policies. Furthermore, they are the most important core elements in preserving ethnic culture and building a new cultural life at the local level.

Thanks to the efforts of influential people in the area, Ea M'Droh commune has been preserving and promoting the fine cultural values of its ethnic groups, effectively implementing the "All people unite to build a cultured life" movement, creating a joyful and healthy atmosphere, and strengthening solidarity within the community.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202512/nguoi-mo-loi-sinh-ke-giu-lua-van-hoa-truyen-thong-cho-buon-cuor-0d301a2/