Gu Bla, one of the main sculptural works used in the Cor ethnic group’s buffalo sacrifice festival in Tra Bong district in the central province of Quang Ngai, is slowly being forgotten as the festival’s popularity decreases.
Gu Bla consists of Gu Pi and Gu Po, which represent the feminine and the masculine, manifesting the existence of races in the Cor people’s beliefs. They are connected to each other by a square trunk, making them inseparable.
On the left of Gu Bla is the image of a wingspan cheo peo bird, which is seen as an “idol” since he, like the Cor people, is indomitable against any dangerous animal in the forest despite his small appearance.
Gu Bla vividly captures the changes in the universe with various patterns symbolising objects like birds, plants, mountains, rivers, the sun and the moon.
The sculpture, which was designed to unite the community, stands solemnly in the centre of the house of the family that hosts the buffalo sacrifice festival.
Apart from sending prayers for good luck, Gu Bla also demonstrates sentiments between family members, or between the hosts and their guests.
Nguyen Thanh Tung, head of the Tra Bong Office for Culture and Information, said a model of Gu Bla was on display at the district’s traditional stilt house, which also showcases other valuable Cor objects.
Cao Chu, Deputy Director of the Quang Ngai provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said his department was considering suggesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognise Gu Bla as national intangible cultural heritage.
The department has also introduced Gu Bla in museums, books and newspapers, and encouraged local people t🍎o preserve the traditional sculpture.-VNA
The Neu pole raising ritual and a set of worshipping objects called Gu used in the buffalo sacrifice ceremony have been well preserved by the Cor ethnic people in the central province of Quang Nam for generations as they hold a significant standing in the local spiritual life.
“Gia ra” is the biggest festival in a year for the Cor ethnic minority group, who live mainly in the central province of Quang Ngai’s Tay Tra and Tra Bong districts as they mark the end of a rice crop, traditionally lasting one year.
The Neu pole raising ritual and Gu worship objects set that has been practiced by generations of the Cor ethnic group in central Quang Nam province is now part of the national intangible heritage.
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Gu Bla of Cor ethnic group (Source: kpvn.com.vn)
