The New Rice Celebration by the Jarai Ethnic Group in Vietnam

During your central Vietnam tour, don’t miss the New Rice Celebration by the Jarai ethnic group (Vietnamese name: Gia Rai) in the highlands of central Vietnam.

Once the rice fields have been harvested, the granaries are full, and the “ghè” alcohol (a type of alcohol made from fruit and rice) is strong, it marks the time for the Jarai New Rice Celebration in Vietnam. This event holds significant meaning as a gesture of gratitude to the deities for ensuring a bountiful harvest season for the village.

When does the Jarai New Rice Celebration take place in Vietnam?

Every year, following the harvest, the Jarai New Rice Celebration in the central highlands of Vietnam typically occurs between the eleventh and twelfth months of the lunar calendar.

This traditional celebration often takes place at the communal house of Jarai villages, with the village elders selecting a special day and informing the entire community to prepare for this annual grand celebration.

Origin of the Jarai New Rice Celebration in Vietnam

For a long time, the ethnic groups in the central highlands of Vietnam have lived with unique spiritual cultures and polytheistic beliefs. With the simple and humble spirit of the Jarai people, they believe that everything possesses a spiritual essence, and deities have emotional lives similar to humans.

Thus, by expressing gratitude, offering respectful gestures, and presenting appropriate offerings, the Jarai believe they can receive protection from deities, ancestors, and spirits.

Based on this conviction, the Jarai New Rice Celebration is regularly organized each year in Vietnam, becoming a unique cultural characteristic of these inhabitants, not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam.

Significance of the Jarai New Rice Celebration in Vietnam

1. Celebrating the Fruits of Jarai Labor

The New Rice Celebration is an opportunity for the Jarai in Vietnam to come together, prepare, and celebrate the fruits of their labor after an extended period of cultivating rice in vast fields.

2. Expressing Gratitude to Deities

With the Jarai’s polytheistic belief, each season’s harvest is influenced by supernatural forces and deities, which are constantly present in people’s hearts. 

If the harvest is abundant and prosperous, thanks are owed to the protective deities. If the harvest is poor due to drought, floods, or other natural calamities, it is believed that the deities were not benevolent, and their mercy must be sought.

Therefore, whether expressing gratitude or imploring mercy, the Jarai New Rice Celebration in the central highlands of Vietnam is always organized, reflecting the faith and culture of the Jarai people in the face of supernatural forces.

Whether the harvest is abundant or mediocre, the New Rice Celebration also signifies gratitude towards the land. Consequently, this celebration is a highly sacred festival for the Jarai in Vietnam.

3. Strengthening close ties in the Jarai community’s economic activities

Additionally, the significance of celebrating the new rice among the Jarai is an opportunity for the community and village to cultivate and preserve emotional ties, fostering solidarity not only within families but throughout the entire village community.

Unique activities and rituals of the Jarai during the traditional celebration

Opening of the celebration

At the beginning of the Jarai New Rice Celebration in the central highlands of Vietnam, village elders rise early, clad in traditional Jarai costumes, and head to the edge of the forest to select a fresh branch from the “Ngal” tree to bring back to the communal village house. Subsequently, the elders beat a drum loudly to signal to the village that the celebration will officially commence.

Preparation of the Jarai people

The sound of rice pounding resonates everywhere, with grandmothers and mothers in each family cooking, grilling meat, preparing “Ghè” alcohol brewed from new rice, and contributing to the village’s joy.

Village men prepare the gongs, and young men and women don traditional attire, gathering in large numbers in front of the communal house in a cheerful atmosphere.

Each person holds in their hand the most beautiful harvested rice ear. The village elders gather them to form large bouquets and then lead the festival.

Traditional Jarai dance

After verifying the offerings, village elders emerge onto the communal house’s threshold, announcing the sound of gongs. Villagers begin to join hands, forming a large circle, dancing to the rhythm of the gongs around the tall pillar erected in front of the communal house courtyard.

Divine thanks ritual

Inside the communal house, the village elders collectively perform celebration and prayer rituals in a very solemn atmosphere. Once the rituals are complete, the elders descend into the courtyard to join the village’s festive atmosphere.

Sharing traditional dishes

After dancing joyously, families bring freshly cooked rice and “Ghè” alcohol brewed from new rice. Offerings are arranged around the pillar. Village elders open and drink alcohol first, then share by inviting other village members to drink together. During the New Rice Celebration, the Jarai share fresh rice tubes, savor alcohol and meat while participating in traditional dances. Everyone is joyfully intoxicated by the alcohol, and the sound of gongs resonates throughout the celebration.

Organization of folk games

After the meal and dance, the village youth engage in traditional games such as wrestling, stick pushing, tug-of-war, and exchanges. These activities strengthen bonds among the Jarai and create a highly festive atmosphere.

The Jarai New Rice Celebration in the central highlands of Vietnam is a significant and traditional festival, regarded not only as the lunar New Year of the village but also as an expression of the distinctive spiritual culture and compassion of the Jarai ethnic community. If you are planning a Vietnam tour, do not miss this traditional celebration rich in Vietnamese ethnic identity!

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