The religious heritage of Po Ina Nagar worship among the Cham people in the central region of Vietnam

Abstract

The Cham people follow a matrilineal system in which children belong to the mother’s lineage. No matter where they live during their lifetime, individuals are buried in cemeteries belonging to their maternal clan after death. The heritage of mother goddess worship has deep cultural and spiritual significance among the Cham community and was upheld through customary laws that preserve traditional customs and beliefs. In this society, women hold the right to propose marriage. After marriage, the husband moved into the wife’s household, and this tradition of matrilocal residence continued to be respected and valued in Cham matriarchal culture. The religious heritage of worshipping Po Ina Nagar is both a cherished custom and a form of mother goddess devotion. It not only strengthens community bonds but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the cultural identity and values of the Cham people.