TL;DR: The May people, a local group of the Chut ethnic community, once preserved ancient books written on forest leaves, recording incantations, ritual texts, and folk knowledge. These leaf books were made from dried forest leaves, written with homemade ink, bound into volumes, and used only in important ceremonies. Today, artisans who can read and craft leaf books have nearly disappeared, posing a major challenge to heritage preservation.
Who are the May people in the Chut community?
The May people live mainly in the limestone mountain areas of Minh Hóa and Tuyên Hóa districts (before July 2025), Quảng Trị province, within the Phong Nha, Kẻ Bàng National Park region. They belong to the Chut ethnic group, along with A Rem, Mã Liềng, Ruc, and Sach subgroups. Each subgroup has its own cultural identity, language, and customs.
Unlike many ethnic groups that rely solely on oral tradition, the May once possessed a unique form of knowledge storage: books written on leaves. This demonstrates their early achievement in writing systems and material crafting, though limited to spiritual and ritual knowledge.
Summary table of the Chứt ethnic groups, materials, and content of the Mày people's leaf books.
| Group belonging to the Chứt ethnic group | Material for making leaf books | Main recorded content | Holders and users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mày people | Leaves of the dong family, wild banana, or large, flexible-leaf plants | Worship prayers, life-cycle ritual incantations | Ritual master (mo), village elder |
| A Rem | |||
| Mã Liềng | |||
| Rục | |||
| Sách |
How are May leaf books made?
May leaf books were not made from paper. The primary material was leaves from certain forest plants, often arrowroot or wild banana family species with large, flexible leaves resistant to insects. Mature leaves were dried in shade, pressed flat, then treated with smoke or bark solution for durability.
Ink was made from tree resin mixed with soot or black clay. Writers used sharpened bamboo pens or bird feathers. After writing, leaves were bound with rattan or forest vines into volumes of varying thickness.
What is written in the May people's leaf books?
The content of ancient leaf books covers three main areas. First, prayers and incantations for life cycle rituals such as weddings, funerals, and new house celebrations. Second, texts related to swidden agriculture cycles, including ceremonies for forest spirits before clearing fields and thanksgiving after harvest. Third, folk remedies and protective charms for health and warding off evil.
These books were not meant for public reading. They were considered sacred objects, held and used only by respected community figures, usually shamans or village elders. Opening and reading required purification rituals, incense offerings, and ceremonial gifts. Books contained not only text but also abstract geometric symbols and ritual layout diagrams passed down through generations.
What role do leaf books play in May spiritual life?
Leaf books served as standardized ritual manuals. Before their existence, prayers were transmitted orally and could vary with each shaman's memory. Leaf books fixed the content, ensuring correct order and wording of chants, thus guaranteeing ritual efficacy according to traditional beliefs.
Leaf books also affirmed spiritual authority. Those owning thicker, more complete volumes were more respected. During important ceremonies, shamans placed the books on altars and read page by page, creating a solemn atmosphere connecting human and spirit worlds. The books were not merely information carriers but sacred objects with their own souls.
Why are ancient May leaf books at risk of being lost?
Ancient leaf books of the May people face severe extinction risk. Very few intact volumes remain, and many have deteriorated from humidity, mold, and insects. More critically, few May people can still read, write, and understand the writing system. Younger generations receive mainstream education and have little opportunity or motivation to learn this ancient knowledge.
Another challenge is the traditional secrecy surrounding leaf books. According to custom, this knowledge cannot be widely shared and is only transmitted to chosen individuals. This hinders researchers' access and slows documentation efforts.
How can ancient leaf books be preserved?
Preserving May leaf books requires coordinated strategies. Museums and research institutes should urgently collaborate with surviving elders and shamans to photograph, film, and digitize all content before complete deterioration. Time is critical as elderly artisans are passing away.
Simultaneously, programs should encourage younger May generations to explore their heritage, integrating leaf book content into local education so children understand this unique identity aspect. Researchers must build trust with the community, respecting traditional rules about the sacredness of these books to find appropriate access methods.
The ancient leaf books of the May people represent a precious heritage reflecting the intellectual capacity and creativity of a small community in the Trường Sơn mountains. Preserving them means safeguarding not just ancient pages but an entire worldview and spiritual value system that has nourished generations of May people for centuries.
