The sacred kitchen - the place that marks the maturity of Khmu men
(Baonghean.vn) - For many ethnic groups, the altar is the most important place in the house, but for the Khmu community in Nghe An, the kitchen is an "inviolable" corner. Because this is considered the most sacred place, where the souls of the deceased are kept and where the maturity of a man is marked.
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| The Khmu community in Nghe An lives scattered in the districts of Tuong Duong, Ky Son, and Que Phong. Life is still difficult, mainly relying on slash-and-burn farming. However, in their spiritual life, this community still preserves many customs imbued with cultural identity. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| One of those customs is the preservation of the sacred kitchen, which marks the maturity of a Khmu man. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| When a man comes of age, he must slaughter a buffalo for sacrifice and then be separated into a sacred kitchen to prove that he is strong enough to be the head of the family. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Since then, every year, the homeowner must slaughter a chicken for the offering and take its tail feathers and attach them to the stove. What is more special is that the tail feathers of these chickens must be the same to prove that their hearts will never change over time. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Below are items used to hold offerings during holidays and Tet. Photo: Dao Tho |
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The water gourd in the sacred kitchen is an object used to get pure water to worship ancestors. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| In this sacred kitchen, there is a bed. Only the homeowner and his sons can use this bed, and no one else can touch it without the homeowner's permission. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Mr. Cut Pho Bun in Na Be village (Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong) said: This sacred kitchen is only allowed to be entered when performing worship rituals. Other than those days, no one is allowed to violate because this is a sacred place to worship the souls of the deceased of the Kho Mu community. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Next to the sacred kitchen is a small kitchen for cooking of the Khmu people. However, this kitchen is only lit on important ceremonies. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Those who are not yet eligible for the coming-of-age ceremony also have their own kitchen. However, this kitchen is not separated and the worship customs are also simpler. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| In this kitchen, offerings are also displayed symbolically: Descendants promise that in the future they will try to prepare the best conditions to kill the buffalo for the kitchen-blocking ceremony. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| The important rituals of the Khmu people all take place in the sacred kitchen. However, recently, thanks to the propaganda of the authorities at all levels, many of the worshiping procedures of this community have also limited the cost and waste. Photo: Dao Tho |
