Unique Ceremony of Water Shrine Ritual of the M'nong People in Lak District (13/07/2024, 16:19)

From June 24th to July 3rd, the Department of Culture and Information of Lak District organized the restoration of the Water Shrine Ritual (lake shrine) of the M'nong people in Jun village, Lien Son town.

Elders of the village invited Yàng to attend the ceremony.

As part of the restoration program, the implementing unit conducted surveys, field investigations, and documentation of the local terrain; deployed and gathered information and documents about the Water Shrine Ritual (lake shrine) of the M'nong people and related materials; organized the restoration and documented the proceedings of the ritual process on the field; gathered opinions from cultural stakeholders regarding conservation efforts, enhancement, and community-based organizational methods for rituals.

Residents gathered for meals, festivities, and storytelling about the old days after the ceremony.

Jun village, located next to Lake Lak, is considered one of the most beautiful ancient villages of the M'nong people, with 116 households totaling 450 people, including 110 households and 422 people from the M'nong ethnic group.

Residents performing arts after the end of the ritual ceremony.

Leaders of the Department of Culture and Information of Lak District stated that the Water Shrine Ritual or lake shrine has become a unique cultural practice of the M'nong people here. The restoration of traditional festivals and folk rituals of the M'nong people is also associated with the development of tourism; encourages activities to preserve and pass on distinctive cultural features among different generations; promotes the role of respected individuals, village elders, and cultural experts in community participation in festivals; propagates and enhances awareness among ethnic communities, especially young generations, in preserving and promoting the beautiful traditions and cultural identity linked to local tourism development.

Kim Bao