Jarai and Bahnar Tribes

Jarai and Bahnar Tribes - One thing worth seeing in Pleiku, are the Jarai and Bahnar tribes that live close by. The Jarai built houses on stilts with an additional small hut at the front to store the much needed rice.

The Bahnar also built their houses on stilts and have added large balconies to work on while at home. They have a community building called a Rong House where the elders meet for ceremonies and festivals. Inside the Rong House one can find gongs, wine, drums and all the precious ceremonial artifacts. Shaman also use this large building for spiritual rituals such as the 'prayer for rain'. The Rong House can only be entered by men.

The tombs of these tribes are also very interesting. By tradition little thatch wooden huts are set over the tomb in which the possessions of the deceased are placed. Around the tomb there are four wooden pillars. On top are wooden carvings of men or monkeys that stand guard in order to protect the body of the deceased. The burial ceremony is very expensive. If the family of the deceased cannot afford it at the time of the passing away, the funeral party can be postponed up to three years later.