Fire King: Legend and Reality

(GLO) - The story of the Pơtao Apui (Fire Kings) possessing a divine sword with the power to summon rain and wind is not just a legend, but is closely linked to the cultural and historical flow of the Jrai people in the Ayun Ha valley (Phu Thien district, Gia Lai province) for many centuries.

Every year, on the summit of the sacred Chu Tao Yang mountain in the Plei Oi National Historical and Cultural Relic Site (Ayun Ha commune), the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Potao Apui is regularly reenacted.

To promote the value of this national-level historical and cultural relic, the Provincial People's Committee recently collaborated with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences to organize a scientific conference titled "King of Fire - Legend and Reality". Numerous scholars, researchers, and scientists participated in the conference and showed particular interest in the event.

The People's Committee of Gia Lai province, in collaboration with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, organized a workshop to find solutions for preserving and promoting the value of the Plei Ơi historical site associated with the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Pơtao Apui. Photo: MC

Is the Fire King real or a legend?

From an archaeological perspective, Associate Professor-Doctor Nguyen Khac Su (Vietnam Institute of History) clearly points out the characteristics, chronological nature, and historical value of the legend of the Fire King. Through field surveys and witnessing the rain-praying ritual on the sacred Chu Tao Yang mountain peak, Associate Professor-Doctor Nguyen Khac Su stated: "The rituals, especially the ancient dances in the rain-praying ceremony, are a high-level performing art."

We found depictions of this ritual dance carved on ancient caves. This shows that the Fire King and the rain-praying belief originated in a very early period, requiring collaborative research from historians, cultural experts, and archaeologists to fully understand the value and extraordinary appeal of this phenomenon.”

Dr. Bui Minh Dao, former Director of the Institute of Social Sciences of the Central Highlands, believes that Plei Oi was the dwelling place of most generations of Fire Kings. It may also have been the "ancient capital" of the Hoa Xa kingdom in history. During its existence, the Pơtao Apui were religious leaders, but at some point, due to their spiritual prestige, they also served as military leaders for the Jrai people.

Through numerous ancient texts from the feudal state of Vietnam, research by French scholars, and domestic scientists, Dr. Bui Minh Dao points out the important contributions of the Fire King to the flow of history and culture.

He observed: Although the Fire Kings were real historical figures, the stories about them are often tinged with myth and mystery, creating a unique position for the Jrai people on the highlands. This also serves as a "creative space" for the community to express and convey their aspirations. These fantastical stories are still retold by the people in a familiar, simple way, imbued with deep spiritual beliefs, providing an authentic experience for tourists. This is also an advantage for promoting the value of the Plei Oi historical site through tourism.

The opinions expressed at the conference, as well as the presentations by scientists, offered diverse perspectives and approaches, focusing on clarifying archaeological evidence regarding the Pơtao Apui phenomenon, systematizing ancient texts and legends about this phenomenon. Scientists analyzed and evaluated the value of the Pơtao Apui cultural heritage in both tangible and intangible aspects; pointing out the connections in terms of beliefs and cultural practices with similar phenomena in neighboring cultural regions.

Promoting the value of historical relics.

Pơtao Apui emerged around the 15th century, existing for five centuries with 14 generations. Siu Luynh was chosen to succeed the 14th Fire King, but he was not yet called Pơtao because he had not yet received the sword. Siu Luynh passed away in 1999, becoming the last Fire King, and from then on, the phenomenon officially dissolved. The rain-praying rituals are now performed by his assistants Rơlan Hieo and Siu Phơ.

On the summit of the sacred Chu Tao Yang mountain, scientists studied the rain-praying ritual of Yang Pơtao Apui through the Fire King's assistants—those performing the rain-praying ceremony according to their inherited beliefs. Photo: MC

While Pơtao Ia (King of Water) and Pơtao Agin (King of Wind) may only be legends, the phenomenon of Pơtao Apui (King of Fire) remains vividly present in the lives of the Jrai people in the Ayun Ha valley.

Regarding the preservation of this phenomenon in daily life, Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Hoa (Vietnam Institute of History) makes an interesting comparison to the image of Santa Claus or the wizarding world in Harry Potter in the West. These are all fictional characters created to honor human beliefs and aspirations.

The Fire King, associated with a magical sword capable of summoning rain and wind, also possesses a fantastical quality, representing the community's dreams. If this image is brought into life, like the belief in the existence of Santa Claus, the Fire King will become a living heritage that the community will collectively preserve and promote.

At the workshop, scientists also advised the local authorities on how to enhance and promote the value of the Plei Ơi national monument. This included the necessity of incorporating this national heritage into the local education program to raise awareness among the younger generation.

From a management perspective, Mr. Tran Ngoc Nhung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: Recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the Fire King phenomenon associated with the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Pơtao Apui, the Provincial People's Committee directed specialized agencies to prepare scientific dossiers to propose the ranking of Plei Oi as a historical site very early on. In 1993, Plei Oi was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. In 2015, the rain-praying ceremony was also inscribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

An exhibition of images documenting the rain-praying rituals of Yang Pơtao Apui was held as part of a scientific conference. Photo: MC

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider and approve the proposed adjustment of the Plei Oi historical site planning to suit the actual situation, so that the locality can effectively manage, protect, and promote the value of the historical site.

At the same time, with the participation and interest of numerous scientists at the conference in clarifying the historical and cultural value of the Fire King phenomenon associated with the Plei Oi relic site, the locality also has more basis to prepare a scientific dossier to propose upgrading it to a special national relic site.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Chu Van Tuan, Director of the Institute of Religious Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), Plei Oi is a unique historical and cultural heritage site that urgently needs preservation. The workshop compiled documents, research results, and new assessments from scientists related to the role and position of the Fire King and the practice of rain-praying rituals by Yang Pơtao Apui. The workshop also highlighted the values ​​that could upgrade this site to a special national historical and cultural relic.

"We need to achieve a more comprehensive and shared understanding of the origins, historical development, and cultural-ethnic values ​​of the Fire King belief, while also agreeing on the most feasible solutions for preserving this unique cultural-spiritual heritage and unlocking its potential for socio-economic development, especially cultural tourism, in the future," Mr. Tuan said.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/vua-lua-huyen-thoai-va-hien-thuc-post316847.html