E-magazine Yang Potao Apui's rain-praying ceremony on the top of the sacred mountain Chu Tao Yang

The activity was organized by the People's Committee of Phu Thien district to promote cultural heritage and socio-economic potential, thereby attracting tourists and investors in the tourism sector.

Rain-praying ritual on the top of Chu Tao Yang sacred mountain. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

Attending the ceremony were Ms. Ayun H'But - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council; leaders of a number of provincial departments and branches; experts, scientists, and researchers from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. On the district side, there were leaders of the District Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, agencies, departments, branches, and organizations of the district, along with a large number of people and tourists.

The Yang Pơtao Apui rain-praying ceremony takes place on the top of the sacred mountain of Chu Tao Yang, located within the Plei Oi national relic site. The ceremony is presided over by Mr. Siu Phơ (assistant to the 14th King of Fire) along with the council of village elders and supporting artisans. Under the top of the sacred mountain of Chu Tao Yang, the master of the ceremony, Siu Phơ, prays for favorable weather, for all things to grow and flourish, for trees to flourish, and for the gods to help people master their lives, for villagers to be united, healthy, and overcome all natural disasters and enemies, and to keep the village prosperous.

The ceremonies taking place on the mountain were livestreamed by the Organizing Committee via a large screen at the Relic Site, allowing locals and visitors to watch from afar.

Along with the rain-praying ceremony, the 16th District Ethnic Minority Cultural and Sports Festival took place at the Plei Oi National Relic Site, attracting 300 artisans from 10 communes and towns. The festival featured many exciting activities such as: gong performances, weaving, statue carving, brocade weaving; men's and women's stilt running; men's and women's crossbow shooting; men's and women's sack jumping and the "Following the Fire King's Footsteps" running race.

Within the framework of the festival, there is also an agricultural market introducing OCOP products, local products, and souvenirs to serve the shopping, sightseeing, and dining needs of visitors.

On this occasion, some communes organized special cultural activities such as: the water wharf worshiping ceremony in So Ma Hang village (Ia Peng commune), the Yang Oi Dai rain praying ceremony in Plei Rbai village (Ia Piar commune). These are typical rituals in Jrai culture, creating heritage connection points, enriching the experience for visitors when coming to the land of the Fire King.