Thanksgiving ceremony of the Gia Rai people in Kom Tum

Thanksgiving – called Tợ gũ mã bruã in the Gia Rai language – is celebrated on a family scale and plays an important role in the spiritual life of ethnic groups in Kon Tum in general and the Gia Rai people in Sa Thầy district in particular.

According to the beliefs of the Gia Rai people, humans are born knowing nothing about their own world . It is the Yang (spirits) who guide them in farming, planting rice, harvesting corn, weaving cloth, and making baskets, and bless them with good health and bountiful harvests. Therefore, to repay the kindness of Yang, Gia Rai families organize a Thanksgiving ceremony hoping that Yang will continue to bless their family. This is a traditional cultural practice with profound humanistic value, leaving a positive impression on each family member and participant, and having a widespread impact on the Gia Rai community.

The Thanksgiving celebration lasts three days and is attended by many family members. In preparation for the ceremony, the host will choose a beautiful, open space for young men to help erect the ceremonial pole.

First, the homeowner must perform a ritual to ask the deities for permission to hold a Thanksgiving ceremony.

According to the Gia Rai people, it was the Yàng (spirits/deities) who taught them how to cultivate fields, weave baskets, and make cloth.

Ms. Y Hoanh from Chot village, Sa Thay town - the host of the Thanksgiving ceremony - is known for her God-given skillful hands in embroidering and weaving exquisite brocade fabrics.

Jars of wine, buffalo, pork, chicken... prepared long ago by the host, are now being offered to the villagers to enjoy.

Before being sacrificed to the gods, the buffalo was given a hearty meal by its owner.

The sound of gongs and drums resounded for three days and nights. Family members, children, and villagers ate, drank, and danced together during the Thanksgiving ceremony.

Glory

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/le-ta-on-cua-nguoi-gia-rai-o-kon-tum-3325626.html