Every year, on the top of the sacred mountain Chu Tao Yang at the national historical-cultural relic site Plei Oi (Ayun Ha commune), the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Potao Apui is regularly reenacted.

To promote the value of this national historical-cultural relic, the Provincial People's Committee has coordinated with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences to organize a scientific conference "The Fire King - Myth and Reality". Many scholars, researchers and scientists attended the conference and paid special attention to this event.

Fire King real or myth?

From an archaeological perspective, Associate Professor-PhD Nguyen Khac Su (Vietnam Institute of History) pointed out the characteristics, chronological nature and historical value of the Fire King legend. Through field surveys and witnessing the rain-praying ritual on the top of Chu Tao Yang sacred mountain, Associate Professor-PhD Nguyen Khac Su said: “The rituals, especially the ancient dances in the rain-praying ceremony are a form of high-level performing art.

We have found images simulating this religious dance carved on caves of very ancient times. That shows that the Fire King and the rain-praying belief originated from a very early period. It is necessary to combine research between historians, culturalists, and archaeologists to see the value and extremely special appeal of this phenomenon."

Dr. Bui Minh Dao, former Director of the Institute of Social Sciences of the Central Highlands, said: Plei Oi was the place where most of the Fire Kings lived. This could also be the "ancient capital" of the small nation of Hoa Xa in history. During their existence, the Apui Potao were religious leaders, but at some point, to some extent, due to their spiritual prestige, they were also the military leaders of the Jrai people.

Through many ancient documents of the Vietnamese feudal state, research works of French scholars and domestic scientists, Dr. Bui Minh Dao pointed out the important contributions of the Fire King in the flow of history and culture.

He acknowledged: Although the Fire Kings were real people in history, the stories about them are often tinged with myth and mystery, creating a distinct position for the Jrai people on the great plateau. It is also a "creative space" for the community to express and convey their aspirations. Those illusory stories are still told by the people in a close, simple way and carry deep spiritual beliefs, bringing authentic experiences to visitors. This is also an advantage to promote the value of Plei Oi relics through tourism.

The opinions at the workshop as well as the presentations of scientists have presented many perspectives and approaches, thereby focusing on clarifying archaeological data on the phenomenon of Potao Apui, systematizing ancient documents and legends about this phenomenon. Scientists analyzed and evaluated the value of the Potao Apui cultural heritage in both tangible and intangible aspects; pointing out the connection in terms of beliefs and cultural practices with similar phenomena in neighboring cultural regions.

Promoting the value of relics

Potao Apui appeared around the 15th century, existing for 5 centuries with 14 generations. Mr. Siu Luynh was chosen to succeed the 14th Fire King but had not yet performed the sword receiving ceremony so was not called Potao. Mr. Siu Luynh passed away in 1999, becoming the last Fire King and from then on, this phenomenon officially disbanded. The rain-praying rituals are currently performed by assistants Rơlan Hieu and Siu Phơ.

If Potao Ia (King of Water) and Potao Agin (King of Wind) are only legends, the phenomenon of Potao Apui (King of Fire) still exists vividly in the lives of the Jrai people in the Ayun Ha valley.

Regarding the direction of preserving this phenomenon in life, Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Hoa (Vietnam Institute of History) interestingly associates it with the image of Santa Claus or the wizarding world in Harry Potter in the West. These are all fictional characters to honor human beliefs and aspirations.

The Fire King, associated with the magical sword that has the power to summon wind and rain, also has a fictitious color, representing the community's dream. If this image is brought into life like the belief in the existence of Santa Claus, the Fire King will become a part of the living heritage that the community joins hands to preserve and promote.

At the workshop, scientists also advised the locality on how to enhance and promote the value of the Plei Oi national relic. It is necessary to include this national heritage in the local education program to raise awareness among the younger generation.

From a management perspective, Mr. Tran Ngoc Nhung - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism - said: Determining the historical and cultural significance of the Fire King phenomenon associated with the rain-praying ceremony of Yang Potao Apui, the Provincial People's Committee directed specialized agencies to prepare a scientific dossier to propose the ranking of Plei Oi relic very early. In 1993, Plei Oi was recognized as a national historical-cultural relic. In 2015, the rain-praying ceremony was also listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider and agree on the policy of adjusting the planning of Plei Oi relic site to suit the actual situation as proposed so that the locality can do a good job of managing, protecting and promoting the value of the relic site.

At the same time, with the participation and interest of many scientists at the workshop in clarifying the historical and cultural value of the Fire King phenomenon associated with the Plei Oi relic, the locality also has more basis to prepare a scientific dossier to propose upgrading to a special national relic.

According to Associate Professor-PhD Chu Van Tuan-Director of the Institute of Religious Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), Plei Oi is a unique historical-cultural heritage that needs urgent preservation. The workshop synthesized new documents, research results, and assessments by scientists related to the role and position of the Fire King and the practice of Yang Potao Apui's rain-praying ritual. The workshop also highlighted the values ​​that could upgrade this site to a special national historical-cultural relic.

“We need to achieve a more complete and common understanding of the origin, historical development, cultural and ethnic values ​​of the Fire King belief, and at the same time agree on the most feasible solutions for preserving this unique cultural and spiritual heritage and opening up the potential for socio-economic development, especially the development of cultural tourism in the coming time,” said Mr. Tuan.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/vua-lua-huyen-thoai-va-hien-thuc-post316847.html