Dak Blo is a remote and extremely difficult border commune of Dak Glei district. The Gie ethnic people (Gie - Trieng) here have been working in wet rice fields for a long time, so the rice warehouse has become as familiar as the second home of each person and family. According to the spirituality and production and living habits of the people, the rituals related to the rice house building ceremony in the border area basically have many similarities with ethnic minorities in the Northern Central Highlands, but also have unique features. unique.
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| The rice house is built on high ground, near the fields of the Gie people in Dak Blo |
In the border commune of Dak Blo, each year, local ethnic people only plant one crop, from January to February to June to July. As the late-season rains become less frequent, the land and sky at the border seem wider and higher. The sun and wind are also less harsh. Following the road from Dak Pek, through Dak Nhoong to Dak Blo, Bung Ton is the first village of the commune. Following the small slopes not far from the headquarters of the Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Dak Blo commune, you will encounter two or three points that form concentrated rice houses.
Mr. A Viet, 60 years old, in Bung Ton village said: Living on wet fields, rice houses were built by people in groups of households, on large and airy plots of land. Rice houses are built high up to avoid wind, storms, and floods; not far from the fields for convenience of transportation. It is considered a miniature house on stilts, but there is only one door to open and close. Depending on the family, the common rice house floor area is 7-8 m2, or larger. The rice house is built on 4 sturdy wooden pillars, carefully carved; 40-50cm above the ground. Walls and floors are covered with wooden planks.
Previously, rice house roofs were covered with thatch; But later, partly because natural materials became increasingly scarce, partly because of convenience in preservation, corrugated iron roofs became popular. The "secret" to effectively fight rats is under the pillars of rice houses, which are often Large wooden circles are securely nailed to the floor. Rats are blocked and cannot climb up to the rice house to cause damage.
Considered the second home of each person and each family, the rice house is also built carefully and thoroughly. According to the spirituality and living habits of the Gie people, the rice house worshiping ritual has its own unique features. At the newly built rice warehouse, the worshiping ceremony has symbolic meaning. The homeowner took the pig around the newly built warehouse 7 times and prayed; Then return to the village's Rong house to conduct the official ceremony. Official offerings cannot lack a buffalo or cow, but according to Mr. A Viet, if you cannot afford to offer the whole animal, you can take the head and leg (including skin and hair) to offer to the gods. These parts of the sacrifice are tied to the Ne tree in the yard of the Rong house.
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| An area of rice houses of people in Bung Ton village, Dak Blo commune |
The homeowner pounded new rice and used the rice to cook rice. Cooked rice is scooped into a sieve, then the prepared, cooked pig's head is placed on it; add a jar of wine to offer. Not only the rice warehouse and Rong house are built, rice house worship is also carried out at the homeowner's house, with an indispensable offering of dried mouse meat. After the offering, the homeowner and his relatives rejoice together. It is worth noting that the food and drinks offered to the rice family are not for people outside of relatives.
Ms. Y Nhin, 64 years old, in Bung Kon village, Dak Blo commune, said that for more than 40 years since she got married and lived on her own, she and her husband have only had one place to put their rice house near the rice fields. more than 3 acres that the whole family planted. Through all the sun and rain, each part (wall, roof, floor) of the rice house was repaired to the extent that it was damaged. For a long time, the rice house was so old that it had to be rebuilt. Not only is it used to store rice, it is also a place to store foods such as corn, noodles, gourds, squash, tubers, fruits... so the rice house is also considered a useful warehouse for farmers. every family.
Like other ethnic minorities in the Northern Central Highlands, the rice house is far from home but there is no need to worry about it being stolen. That shows the very high sense of community and the honest nature of the people. The rice house built far from the place of residence also comes from the desire to best preserve and conserve one's own source of livelihood. “Unfortunately, if there is a fire, there will still be grain, food, and food to eat. But if you put it in one place, if it catches fire, there's no way to live..." - Mr. A Viet added.
Like other ethnic minorities in the Northern Central Highlands, the Gie people cherish their rice houses as much as their stilt houses or communal houses. According to ancient spirituality and beliefs, the rice warehouse worshiping ritual is preserved and passed down from generation to generation. Even though the format has changed somewhat, today, the spirit of respecting Mother Rice and valuing labor is still widespread, as is everyone's belief and wish for a good life./.