CHANGES IN THE ART OF GIA RAI MORTUARY WOODEN STATUES FROM A CULTURAL ECOLOGY PERSPECTIVE (A Study in Ya Xier Commune, Sa Thay District, Kon Tum Province)

Abstract

During the course of their historical formation and evolution, the Gia Rai ethnic group has developed distinct cultural attributes. This research utilizes fundamental perspectives from the theoretical framework of cultural ecology to examine the ways in which the Gia Rai community in Ya Xier commune, Sa Thay district, Kon Tum province (historically) has adapted to their environmental context through the transformation of their funerary artistry, specifically in the design of tomb sculptures. The objective of this investigation is to gain insights into the traditions and practices of this ethnic minority group within the context of modern life; furthermore, it aims to contribute supplementary information regarding the contemporary status of a particular form of folk culture prevalent in the Central Highlands region.