On March 12, the Organizing Committee of the 9th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in 2025 said that the People's Committee of Lak district had just organized a health offering ceremony for elephants at Mr. Y Vinh Eung's house (Lak district). This is one of the activities within the framework of this year's festival.
This ceremony is of great significance in the cultural life of the Central Highlands people, showing respect and gratitude for elephants. Elephants are not only a means of transportation but also a symbol of power, power and wealth.
In the minds of the people of the Central Highlands in general and Lak district in particular, elephants have a sacred meaning, expressing the solidarity of the community and villages.
Therefore, every year, the health offering ceremony for elephants is held to pray for the health, peace and protection of the gods for the elephants as well as those who take care of them.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Gong gong sung was an invitation to the gods to come and witness, and at the same time, to inform the villagers to attend the ceremony and celebrate with the homeowner.
When the elephant enters the ceremony, each elephant carrier will light a white candle on the elephant handle, showing respect and respect.
The worship teacher performed the incense ceremony, calling on gods such as Yang Voi, Yang Dat, Yang Thien, Yang Nui to witness and give blessings to the elephants. The ceremony was to pray for the health of elephants so that they can continue to travel with the villagers.
During the offering, the teacher places the pig head and rice on the offering, receives oil and water on the elephant's head, front and rear legs, and reads the cau nguyenation. After completing the ceremony, each elephant was given two bronze rings - a symbol of luck and stable health.
In addition, the monk also instructed elephant owners to love and care for the elephant herd like family members, and treat them with respect and responsibility.
At the end of the ceremony, the monk invited the villagers and their family members to enjoy the wine, share the joy and wish everyone peace and prosperity.
