Beyond its practical function, the ghè symbolizes wealth, social status, and deep cultural identity across generations.
Families in the region consider the ghè not just household items but sacred artifacts central to rituals, festivals, and ceremonies.
The more vessels a family owns, and the more intricate their craftsmanship, the higher their prestige within the community.
Among the rarest are “husband and wife” ghè, paired vessels used in weddings to symbolize harmony. One such pair, dating back to the 14th–15th centuries and crafted in the Gò Sành pottery tradition of Bình Định (today part of Gia Lai), remains preserved in collector Ngô Ngọc Tám’s private collection. The taller “wife” ghè reflects the community’s matriarchal roots.
Other unique forms include the “mother carrying child” ghè, in which a smaller vessel is attached to a larger one, symbolizing maternal love.
These are treasured across the Central Highlands and considered powerful cultural emblems.
The vessels often feature detailed motifs, from coiled dragons and cranes to squirrels, mice, frogs, and lizards.
According to collector Võ Văn Hưng, depictions of rodents, typically seen as pests, carry ritual meaning, serving as prayers for good harvests and peace.
Meanwhile, researcher Nguyễn Thế Phiệt notes that animal-handled ghè were traditionally used by hunters, who believed drinking from them granted agility and endurance.
Communities classify ghè based on function. Sacred vessels used in offerings often display elaborate dragon or tiger motifs, while “male ghè” are used for liquor fermentation and “female ghè” for food storage. The latter are simpler in design and commonly found in household kitchens.
Over centuries, many ghè have been lost through burial customs or damage, making surviving examples increasingly rare.
Local collectors play a crucial role in safeguarding these artifacts, preserving not just material culture but also the spiritual memory of Central Highlands communities.
