The Animistic Worldview of the Bru-Van Kieu
The Bru-Van Kieu people, one of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, reside mainly along the Truong Son mountain range in Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces. Their spiritual life is rooted in animism, a belief that all natural objects, from mountains and rivers to trees and animals, possess souls and supernatural powers. This worldview is not just a set of beliefs but a guiding principle for their entire existence.
Spirits, Ancestors, and the Shaman's Role
The Bru-Van Kieu believe in a hierarchy of supernatural beings, from powerful spirits governing nature (mountain, river, forest, rice spirits) to the spirits of ancestors who watch over their descendants. The shaman, often a village elder, serves as the crucial intermediary between the human and spirit worlds. Hungarian ethnologist Vargyas Gábor, who lived with the community in Huong Hoa district from 1985 to 1989, documented this role extensively in his photo collection "Spirits, Ancestors and Shamans." The shaman is believed to possess the ability to communicate, negotiate, and even challenge the spirits, as seen in the striking ritual of making a sword stand upright.
Key Rituals and Practices
A significant practice is the reburial ritual. The Bru-Van Kieu believe death is a transition. After an initial burial, a secondary reburial ceremony is held to collect and clean the bones, placing them in a more permanent resting place. This act of care ensures the deceased's spirit finds peace. Unlike many cultures, they do not build permanent temples. Sacred spaces are often natural sites like ancient trees or forbidden forests. Offerings of livestock, rice wine, and forest products are made to appease spirits and express gratitude. Music, especially from gongs, drums, and other traditional instruments, is integral, believed to connect with the divine and create a sacred atmosphere.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The return and display of Gábor's photographs in Huong Hoa hold immense value for preserving this intangible heritage. They serve as a historical mirror for younger generations, helping them connect with their roots. The images document traditional farming methods, burial customs, and ritual practices, reinforcing the enduring significance of the Bru-Van Kieu's animistic beliefs in a modernizing world and introducing this unique culture to a global audience.
