Workshop “Fire King - myth and reality”

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich and Associate Professor, Doctor (PGS, PhD) Chu Van Tuan - Director of the Institute of Religious Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) chaired the workshop.

Attending the workshop were representatives of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee; leaders of departments, branches, and localities; Mr. Siu Pho, Mr. Rolan Hieo - assistants of the last Fire King (14th generation) and representatives of the Jrai community in Plei Oi; nearly 40 scholars, researchers, and scientists from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, research institutes, universities, and many other units nationwide.

Vice Chairwoman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich delivered a welcome speech at the workshop. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

Speaking at the workshop, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich thanked scientists from many places across the country for taking the time to attend the workshop; contributing 39 articles and research works to shed more light on the Fire King phenomenon - myth and reality as well as solutions to preserve and promote the value of the Plei Oi National Cultural and Historical Relic.

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich expressed: "We hope that scientists will introduce research results, give new comments and assessments on the role and position of the Fire King and the practice of the rain-praying ritual of Yang Potao Apui. From there, highlight the value of the relic, the rain-praying ritual in the past and present; propose solutions to restore, embellish and promote the value of the Plei Oi national relic in the coming time, contributing to the development of local tourism".

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Nhue - Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Vietnam Institute of History at the workshop. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

At the workshop, to clarify the phenomenon of “Fire King - myth and reality”, scientists had a number of presentations such as: Geo-archaeological stratigraphy of the cultural-religious phenomenon of Potao Apui in Gia Lai (Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Khac Su - Vietnam Archaeological Association); Fire God in Asian religions and the legend of the Fire King in the Central Highlands (Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Chung - Institute of Religious Studies); Thuy Xa, Hoa Xa - history of formation and relationship with feudal dynasties in Vietnam (Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Nhue - Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Vietnam Institute of History).

Regarding solutions to preserve and promote the value of the relic, Dr. Bui Minh Dao - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences discussed some historical and cultural contributions of Fire King Ptao Apui and recommended preserving and promoting the Plei Oi village relic. In addition, from a local perspective, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province Tran Ngoc Nhung gave some opinions on Plei Oi relic - Some management issues.

In addition, the delegates had many ideas to clarify the value and significance of the Fire King phenomenon, the approach and in-depth research in the coming time; at the same time, they advised the locality on some directions to enhance and promote the value of the Plei Oi national relic; it is necessary to include this national heritage in the local education program to raise awareness for the younger generation in protecting and promoting its value. The delegates also highly agreed on the proposal to upgrade the Plei Oi National Cultural-Historical Relic to a special national relic.

Previously (March 27), scientists attended the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Potao Apui which took place on the top of the sacred mountain Chu Tao Yang within the framework of the Plei Oi National Cultural-Historical Relic (Ayun Ha commune).

Within the framework of the workshop, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism exhibited 60 images introducing the rituals in the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Potao Apui; portraits of some generations of Fire Kings and their assistants of the last Fire King; some local worshiping ceremonies closely connected with the rain-praying ceremony. In addition, the exhibition also introduced the panorama of the Plei Oi national historical-cultural relic site, the Plei Oi tomb area, and the natural landscape of Phu Thien.