ethnic minority Celebrating Long Life: The Significant Tradition of the MNông Rlam People
The Mnong Rlam hold many cultural and religious rituals, including a longevity ceremony for their parents. The Mnong Rlam organize a longevity ceremony to show their filial piety when their parents are over 60 years old. The ceremony is usually held in the 1st or 2nd month after they finish the harvest. Shaman Y-Krai Čil says that in the past the eldest daughter was in charge of holding the longevity ceremony for her parents. Now all the children are allowed to organize it. The longevity ceremony is associated with the worship of mountain and river deities. “When the offerings have been prepared, the shaman calls the deities of the mountain, forest, and water and asks for their permission to organize the ceremony.” The offerings include a pig, three bowls of rice, a gourd full of water, and three cups of straw liquor (ruou can). The M’Nong say straw liquor is the drink of the deities. The deities sent messengers to teach the M’Nong to make straw liquor, so the bevera...