The ceremony, held over several days, featured traditional rituals including a buffalo sacrifice, gong performances and communal gatherings, underscoring the enduring cultural identity of the Jrai people.
The project, funded through an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan with a total investment exceeding VND 12 billion (approximately USD 490,000), forms part of a broader initiative to develop tourism infrastructure in the area.
At the centre of the celebration was the ritual erection of a ceremonial pole, conducted exclusively by village elders in accordance with long-standing customs. The buffalo, regarded in Jrai belief as a spiritual intermediary between humans and deities, played a central role. Villagers symbolically cast rice at the animal to dispel misfortune and invoke blessings, before concluding the ceremony with prayers for health and prosperity.
Following the sacrifice, the buffalo’s head and tail were placed on the ceremonial pole, signalling the ritual’s completion. Villagers, including young children carried by their mothers, gathered to touch the animal’s tail, a gesture believed to convey wishes for peace and abundance to the gods, according to village elder Rơ Châm Yơm.
Cultural researcher Linh Nga Niê Kđăm described the event as a reflection of a “rich cultural whole”, noting that traditions such as gong music, traditional housing, cuisine and ritual practices have been preserved in their original form. This continuity, she said, demonstrates an unbroken cultural lineage from past to present.
Beyond its ceremonial function, the Rong house serves as the social and spiritual centre of Jrai life. Historically, it has been a venue for community decision-making, conflict mediation and the transmission of cultural values across generations. It is also the primary space for rituals connecting villagers with their ancestors and deities.
The newly built structure is part of a larger complex that includes exhibition spaces and communal facilities, designed to support tourism while preserving cultural authenticity. Local authorities and residents expect it to become a focal point for visitors seeking immersive cultural experiences.
Kép 1 village now offers a range of activities tied to daily life, including brocade weaving, rice pounding, basketry and culinary demonstrations. These experiences are not staged but emerge organically from the community’s way of life, according to artist Kiều Đăng, who visited the village.
He noted that this authenticity is key to sustainable tourism development, with culture serving as the foundation and local residents as primary service providers.
As Gia Lai prepares to host National Tourism Year 2026, officials are positioning cultural tourism as a core strength, with villages like Kép 1 expected to play a central role by offering deeply rooted, identity-driven experiences.