As rapid urban development continues, two centuries-old Jrai villages, Ơp in Pleiku Ward and Pleiku Roh in Diên Hồng Ward, continue to safeguard their cultural identity, preserving traditions, communal life and heritage despite expanding roads, new residential areas and growing urbanisation.
Cassia javanica trees in full bloom are drawing crowds of visitors and photography enthusiasts to Ơp Village in Pleiku Ward, where pale pink blossoms have transformed the area around the village communal house into a popular seasonal attraction.
Amid the resonant sounds of gongs, the Jrai people in Ơp village (Pleiku ward) gathered to perform the new communal house blessing ceremony, a sacred ritual that has been closely tied to the village community for generations.
The traditional Jrai engagement ceremony has been faithfully reenacted in Ơp village, Pleiku Ward, Gia Lai Province, as part of efforts to preserve indigenous culture while developing community-based tourism that can generate livelihoods and improve local living standards.
Gia Lai Vice Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Thanh Lịch on November 17 inspected Ơp Village in Pleiku Ward and Ia Nueng Village in Biển Hồ Commune to evaluate their potential for developing community-based tourism rooted in Jrai cultural heritage.
