Ritual of Blessing Rain for Ede People in Buon Ma Thuot City

Every morning, the Ky hamlet community house is filled with people gathering for the rain worship ceremony. Young men carefully arrange a set of gongs while the women diligently prepare the offerings.

The village center is adorned with a two-storey Pưk hut, specifically built for the rain ritual. The upper storey is dedicated to the god and goddess, while the lower storey serves as a granary, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

In front of the hut, offerings to the evil god, who brings destruction to the fields through birds and beasts, are placed. These offerings consist of liquor, chicken, and small wooden statues of elephants, tigers, and hedgehogs.

As the gongs fill the air with their enchanting sounds, the shaman takes his place in front of the Puk hut to begin the ritual. He fervently prays to the gods of the sky, earth, and rain, beseeching them to bless the fields with abundant water for the crops to flourish.

Water is a vital element for the rice to grow healthily, ensuring a bountiful harvest and a plentiful warehouse. The shaman also implores the gods to protect the village from malevolent spirits and beasts.

Following the prayer, the shaman uses his feet to draw small squares on the ground, symbolizing the fields. He meticulously walks from square to square, holding a stick in each hand and poking holes in the ground. Ede women then follow suit, sowing seeds in these holes.

H’By La Byă from Ky hamlet shared, “This is my first time attending a rain ceremony, and I am eager to learn more about the customs and traditions of the Ede people. I feel honored to be part of this significant ceremony.”

The shaman holds a bowl of liquor and splashes it on the rice containers, farm tools, and the ground, inviting the deities to partake in the offering. Liquor is also presented to the gods and goddesses in the hut, as well as on the animal traps and scarecrows in the fields.

At the conclusion of the ritual, joyful cheers fill the air, representing the unity and determination of the community to embark on a new farming season.

65-year-old H’Luch Hdok expressed, “I am deeply moved by this rain ceremony. It is crucial to hold this annual ritual before commencing a new crop. It brings back cherished memories of my childhood when I first attended this ceremony. Seeing the revival of this ritual fills me with immense happiness.”

Y Bang Byă, the chief of Ky hamlet, recalled that in the past, the Ede people always conducted the rain ceremony in April, marking the peak of the dry season. They would burn the fields and eagerly await the much-needed rain to sow their seeds.

With the transition from rice cultivation to pepper and coffee production and the adoption of modern techniques, the Ede have become less reliant on weather conditions, leading to the neglect of the rain ceremony. However, in recent years, the State and the cultural sector have actively encouraged the revitalization of traditional festivals and cultural practices among the Ede community.

Hamlet chief Y Bang Byă emphasized, “Preserving our ethnic culture poses challenges for the villagers. With the financial support provided by the local administration, we have successfully revived the rain ceremony to pray for favorable weather, abundance, and sufficiency not only for our village but also for others in the Central Highlands region.”

Following the ritual, all the villagers and their guests indulge in the offerings and rejoice in lively dances accompanied by the captivating melodies of the gongs, fostering enthusiasm for the upcoming farming season.

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