Unique new rice celebration of Raglai people

Phuoc Ha Commune preserves many unique cultural heritages of Raglai people, contributing to enriching the spiritual life of local people. Among the heritages is new rice celebration, which was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, under the category of social custom and beliefs.

Currently, Phuoc Ha Commune has 2,330 households with 9,931 people living in 8 villages, including 971 households of Raglai people with 3,971 people. New rice celebration ceremony of the Raglai in Phuoc Ha Commune vividly represents the ritual acts of Raglai people to mark the end of a production cycle, express their gratitude to the gods for giving them a good and bountiful harvest and pray for better things in life and the upcoming crop. They are happy and proud that their effort in preserving this good custom passed down through many generations is appreciated. 

Artisans in Phuoc Ha Commune performing musical instruments in new rice celebration

In the past, new rice celebration was organized on a family or clan scale and could take place annually or every few years depending on families’ financial conditions. Families also decided when to organize the celebration. In 2021, Phuoc Ha Commune authorities encouraged local Raglai people to organized new rice celebration on the occasion of Lunar New Year. This is the time when the harvest is finished, family members working and studying in other localities gather at homes to celebrate Lunar New Year. Up to now, the commune has 10 clans practicing new rice celebration.

The ritual offerings for new rice celebration are placed on three trays to offer to the rice god, ancestors, and ma la. Each tray has the same offerings, including: new rice, boiled chicken, boiled mountain crab, can wine (wine drunk out of jars through pipes), chicken eggs, betel and areca nuts, tobacco, white wine, beads, cloth, bracelets, necklaces, Neu tree, apec cakes, etc. The apec cakes are soaked in upland rice overnight, roasted until golden brown, then pounded into cakes. This traditional cake is an important offering in new rice celebration of the Raglai. The celebrant performs ritual acts to express gratitude to rice gods, mountain gods, sun gods, and ancestors and pray for favorable weather, good harvests, abundant livestock, prosperity, healthy and peace. While the celebrant performs the ritual acts, artisans play gourd trumpet and ma la to the rhythm of “Ta a po mai” (music to invite the gods). After performing the rituals, the celebrant eats a bowl of new rice with soup and then invites the family members present at the ceremony to enjoy the food.

Traditional house of Raglai people in Phuoc Ha Commune is built to serve tourists

New rice celebration takes place in one night at the house of the head of the clan, from the previous afternoon to the next morning; then “Tó tra no” ritual ceremony and Neu-tree-taking-down ceremony are held. The offerings for Neu-tree-taking-down ceremony include newly cooked rice and soup, Can wine and other newly cooked food. 

New rice celebration plays a significant role in spiritual life of Raglai people. This is an occasion for the people to visit each other in the new year, reward children for their good academic results, strengthen family ties, offer support to family members and relatives.

MINH THU
Translated by H.N