The Raglai’s Out-of-Mourning Ceremonies in Cam Thinh Tay Commune, Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province

Abstract

The author presents the out-of-mourning ceremonies - one of the Raglai cultural features. He shows that these ceremonies reflect the Raglai’s spiritual and material lives, their aspirations for the lofty and beautiful things expressed in their perceptions of souls, behaviors to the souls and spirits as well as the traditional art forms, etc. In addition, the Raglai ceremonies imply human and moral values, which provide good conditions for maintaining ethnic moral standards and community solidarity. Although there are some changes in the Raglai perceptions, lifestyle, and ceremonial practices, the  out-of-mourning ceremonies remain a good tradition for the Raglai to preserve and develop their cultural identity.