On March 11, residents of Buon Don District, Dak Lak, held a solemn ritual to wish for the well-being and long life of the elephants in the area. This district is home to the largest elephant population in the province.
During the ceremony, the elephants were adorned with traditional ornaments as a mark of reverence.
To express their respect, villagers meticulously prepared an offering tray featuring traditional delicacies such as pork, chicken, corn/rice alcohol, and hand-rolled tobacco, symbolising prosperity.
The ritual was performed by Y Nga Glan, Y Glel Klul, and Y Thoan Bu Dam.
The blessing prayer invoked the spirits of the mountains, forests, sacred lands, rivers, and streams that the elephants had traversed, inviting them to partake in the feast of rice, spirits, pork, and chicken with the villagers. The prayer sought divine protection, asking the spirits to grant the elephants strength, keep them free from illness and exhaustion, and bless them with a long life so they could continue contributing to their families and the community.
For generations, elephants have held a sacred place in the hearts of Dak Lak’s people, particularly in Buon Don, serving as an enduring symbol of strength and heritage. They were captured in the vast, untamed jungles by fearless elephant hunters before being domesticated and integrated into the lives of the Ede, Mnong, and Jarai ethnic groups as cherished companions.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the health blessing ceremony serves as a reminder of the need to protect and preserve these treasured creatures.
Children in Buon Don are taught about their ancestral traditions through this ritual, ensuring that the cultural reverence for elephants is passed down to future generations.
