Once every ten years, after the harvest season, the Pa Ko people of western Quang Tri Province hold a sacred ritual known as the "spiritual bond renewal ceremony with the mountain god."

Depending on the family lineage, each clan conducts this ancient rite to honor the guardian spirits of the mountains. This tradition, which dates back hundreds of years, continues to be carefully preserved by the community.

The Kray clan in A Lieng village, Ta Rut commune, gathered in full strength after preparing ritual offerings to perform the sacred ceremony. This spiritual bond renewal symbolizes a reaffirmation of the relationship between the Kray clan and the mountain deity.

A Lieng, located on a wide, flat land surrounded by three mountains – Koh A Lieng, Koh Paliing, and Koh Plang – is fronted by the gentle Krong Klang River, which nourishes the fertile land each year.

The deity Koh Plang-Kar Tang Xoi is believed to have provided protection, health, and prosperity to the Kray lineage and the entire A Lieng village. The ceremony serves both as an expression of gratitude and a prayer for continued well-being.

Village elder Ho Xuan Van, head of the Kray clan, shared: “The spiritual bond renewal with the mountain god is a profoundly symbolic act for the Pa Ko people. It fosters community unity and reminds individuals and families of their responsibilities within the village.”

The ceremony spans two days and one night and includes several stages. The first stage is an ancestral offering.

Ritual items include a 30 kg pig known as the “pillow pig,” a large red rooster with a long tail, a young male goat, sticky rice, white liquor, plain water, and a ceremonial sword.

A ritual pole is erected at the village center to tether the sacrificial goat, along with a pair of ceremonial axes (axieuq).

When the goat is tied, the ceremonial leader and community members gather around the pole and the prepared offerings.

A communal apology rite is then performed, and all the offerings are presented at the village's main altar to invite the deities.

The second and most important stage is the spiritual bond renewal and thanksgiving to the mountain god. Villagers dress in traditional garments, and offerings include a large black-horned bull and a pig known as the “buffalo-head pig.”

A bamboo altar is built at the village center to tether the bull. Once the goat offering concludes, village elders prepare for the bull ceremony.

The sacrificial bull is tethered to the pole, and the ceremonial leader stands before it, inviting the mountain god to witness the ritual. The steps mirror those used during the goat sacrifice. A final offering is made to the sky deity.

In a crucial preliminary step, the ceremonial leader presents betel leaves and areca nuts at the ritual site and formally informs the mountain deity Koh Paliing of the ceremony. Only after this can the bull be tethered. Following the rituals, the villagers sing and dance throughout the night.

The next morning, the sacrificial rites are performed, and the meat from the bull and goat is divided evenly among the village clans. Each family contributes additional produce or goods according to their means to celebrate collectively.

Kray Hung, a local in A Lieng, said, “I'm proud to join this ceremony with my clan. It's a beautiful tradition that we, the younger generation, must preserve and promote.”

The ceremony serves as a rare moment of intergenerational and communal gathering. Distinguished artisan Kray Suc remarked, “This is a deeply significant ritual for the Pa Ko. It educates the younger generation about human gratitude toward nature. These traditions help instill the values and noble actions of our ancestors and inspire us to protect and promote our rich cultural heritage.”

Despite many challenges, the Pa Ko people of the majestic Truong Son Mountains remain united and committed to safeguarding this extraordinary ancestral ritual passed down through generations.

PV