From early morning, villagers assemble at the communal house, preparing offerings, cleaning the ritual ground and rehearsing gong performances and xoang dances. Days before the event, elders and young men had already worked together to build temporary structures and prepare ritual items.

“We have all joined hands to prepare for the ceremony. It’s a collective effort of the whole community,” says Y Zoang H Dok, a local resident.

When the auspicious hour arrives, villagers in traditional costumes gather as the sound of gongs echoes through the space, marking the start of the ritual. The ceremony consists of two main parts: praying for rain and a health-blessing ritual for the village elder.

The shaman performs traditional rites, offering prayers to deities for rainfall, fertile crops and favourable weather.

Y Bang Bya, the village elder honoured in the health ritual, shares that such ceremonies are essential in Ede culture, symbolizing wishes for health, luck and peace.

“Today is both the rain-praying day and a blessing ceremony for me. I feel fortunate and hope to stay healthy to continue preserving our traditions for the community,” he says.

Following the ritual, villagers recreate traditional production activities such as rice planting and hunting. A symbolic “rain” is staged during the ceremony, expressing hopes for a prosperous new farming season.

The festival atmosphere continues with cultural exchanges, gong performances, xoang dances, and communal meals accompanied by traditional rice wine.

“It’s such a joyful and special day. Even in today’s modern world with so many forms of entertainment, we need to preserve our traditions for future generations,” notes H Ze Na Bya, another local participant.

The event also attracts both domestic and international visitors, who are welcomed to join the dances and experience the vibrant cultural space.

Antonie, a tourist from France, describes the ritual as “beautiful and impressive,” praising the music, costumes and strong sense of community.

“I think this is a truly wonderful and beautiful ritual. I’ve heard many great songs and seen distinctive dances, and people are wearing very unique traditional costumes. I find the Ede community here remarkable, and I really enjoy this festival,” Antoine tells VOV.

Over the past decade, the rain-praying ritual has been restored and held annually in Buon Ky, typically in late March or April. Maintaining the ceremony in modern times requires sustained efforts from both the community and local authorities.

Nguyen Dinh Tam, chairman of Thanh Nhat ward People’s Committee, highlights that preserving traditional customs is increasingly important as cultural spaces face pressure from modernisation.

“The locality is working on long-term plans to maintain these rituals and integrate them with cultural and tourism activities,” he says.

As the ceremony concludes with resonating gongs and the warmth of communal gatherings, the rain-praying ritual in Buon Ky is not only a prayer for rain but also a reminder of the Ede people’s cultural roots. In today’s life, the sound of gongs no longer just calls for rain, it calls back the memory and identity of the community.

New house ritual of the Ede people preserves centuries-old traditions

VOV.VN - For many, especially Ede ethnic people, in the Central Highlands, the new long house ritual is considered an important event, as the house serves as the witness to numerous milestones in a family’s life.