As scheduled, every March, the Jrai people in Ia Pech commune, Ia Grai district (Gia Lai province) solemnly hold a ceremony to worship the Forest God. The ceremony is held alternately every year between Ograng and De Chi villages with the meaning of joining hands to protect the forest; thanking the Forest God for protecting the villagers, giving the villagers a year of favorable weather, good crops, and plenty.
The forest worship ceremony is held annually in March in Ia Pech commune.
This year the ceremony was held in Ograng village, presided over by village elder Siu Doih. From early morning, the people of Ograng village were busy carrying meat and sticky rice to the mountain about 5km from the village to prepare for the ceremony. The offerings for this year's ceremony included: a roast pig, a chicken and a jar of wine.
From early morning, people carried meat into the forest to prepare for the ceremony.
According to village elder Siu Doih (born in 1947, Ograng village), the forest worship ceremony has been preserved by villagers since ancient times with the meaning of gratitude and the wish for the forest god to protect the villagers. In March, when villagers have free time, they often gather to organize the forest worship ceremony.
After preparing all the offerings, village elder Siu Doih read aloud the prayer inviting the Forest God, Mountain God, and Water God to witness. With the hope that the gods will protect and shelter the villagers, bring favorable weather and bountiful crops.
Offerings are fully prepared
At the ceremony, village elder Siu Doih did not forget to represent the village in swearing an oath to the gods to preserve and protect the sacred forest. Elder Siu Doih hopes that the gods will bless the villagers to preserve the forest so that they can have more livelihoods.
Village elder Siu Doih performs the worship ritual
For the Jrai people in Ia Pech commune, the forest worship ceremony is considered a big ceremony, gathering all villagers, from the elderly to children, men and women. After the ceremony ends, everyone joins in the lively exchange atmosphere, enjoying a buffet party under the canopy of the old forest.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Head of Ia Grai District Forest Protection Department said: “The forest worship ceremony is not only a unique ritual with spiritual significance, contributing to the preservation of material and spiritual values in ethnic communities, but also contributing to the management and protection of forest resources. Depending on the conditions of each village, the worship ceremony is organized on a different scale and location. However, the ultimate goal is to thank the forest god and to help people recognize the meaning and importance of forests in people's lives”.
Villagers grill bamboo rice to serve villagers and tourists participating in the forest worship ceremony.
For many years, the People's Committee of the commune, district and the forest rangers have supported the forest worshiping ceremony to become a cultural and religious activity, attracting people from neighboring districts to participate. The forest worshiping ceremony is also an opportunity for the community to remind each other to raise awareness and the importance of forests to life. From there, connecting people with local authorities and forest rangers to do a good job of protecting forests. Moreover, through these traditional ceremonies, we educate and pass on to the younger generation the love for forests.
Integrated into the forest worship ceremony is a propaganda activity to raise awareness of forest management, protection and development; protect the ecological environment, and connect the community with the forest protection force.
After the ceremony, people divided the meat into bamboo tubes and enjoyed a buffet together amidst the old forest canopy.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Ngo Khon Tuan - Chairman of Ia Pech Commune People's Committee said: "The forest worshiping ceremony is a very meaningful cultural activity held annually, through this ceremony will help people raise their awareness in protecting the forest. In addition to thanking the Forest God, the worshiping ceremony also has the meaning of propagating and mobilizing local people to do a good job of forest management and protection, connecting and creating solidarity in the community.
Many years ago, after the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee issued a decision on land and forest allocation to the two communities of Orang and De Chi, the villages established two forest management and protection groups. These two groups operate very well, maintaining regular patrols to protect the forest. In addition to the cost of forest environmental services, the people also collect a number of products such as honey, bamboo shoots, etc., which partly cover their daily living expenses.
For many years, the people of Ia Pech commune have cooperated with the forces to manage and protect the forests very well.
Currently, in Ia Pech commune, there are 559 hectares of forest. This area is managed and protected by the communities of O Grang and De Chi villages. For many years, she has been aware of the benefits of forests such as providing abundant forest products, creating a clean environment and air. Thanks to that, the work of forest management, protection and development has also been more favorable.
Article and photos: Tran Hien
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