The homeland of the M’nong Rlam people is like that, full of chun and nul (swamp), which Lo (wetland rice fields) is formed in those chun and nul. They know that bha (rice sowing) since the Kinh people in the delta still have to sow rice seeds to create seedling and then transplant. Farming, being that “water rice”, is a special upstream, because when it comes to the Central Highlands, I don’t understand why Kinh people immediately think of life with a civilization of shifting cultivation, farming, or industrial crops. after that. Remember, this highland wet rice civilization has nothing like the nature – the characteristics – the concept of books that Vietnamese (and international) professors write about “civilization”. wet rice” such as in the Red River Delta, Mekong River, Chao Phraya River (Thailand), Irrawaddy River (Myanmar) or in Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Philippines… The fields and villages of the M’nong Rlam people. The M’nong Rlam community earns a living from wet rice, but the spirit of life leans heavily towards the mountains, the spirit of greatness, admires Yang Bre, Yang B’Nom (the god of the forest, the god of the mountain) and all beliefs, habits, rituals are for the forest, for the sun, not for the moon. They have lived like that for decades. They are Australoid and speak an ancient Mon-Khmer language. What is more interesting and unique is that their life form is not like the M’nong people in the central highlands (in Dak Nong province now), the M’nong Nor, M’nong Prang, or M’nong Gar groups. not far from them, and especially the Ede. Their M’nong quality is a unique marriage between the life and culture of the original M’nong ethnic group in the southwest and the nearby Ede (ancient Austronesian) ethnic group in the north of their homeland. Only they have all the wonderful essences of M’nong and Ede. The house does not drop to the ground like the M’nong Gar people, nor does it raise the floor like the long house of the Ede people, but falls in the middle of the other two living spaces – that is, just enough to get off the ground. That they stay in the house on stilts – the long house. That space off the ground is “great”, just enough to avoid the earth’s vapor, and the “drop” space is also strangely smart, just enough to not touch the hot, blue sky. Thinking and lifestyle in harmony with nature. * In the fertile fields out there, the rice seeds they sprouted and then spread out into the mud. About three months to harvest. In the past, the rice was cut by hand and the buffalo pedaled, but now also “play” with the reaper and the thresher. But here and there, the hobby of cutting rice remains. Nul, jar, sheet bhum (rice plant), ple bhom (rice grain), grang pai (rice grain) are not only crops, agricultural products, goods but also “loved ones”, companions. Going to cut together, as a family. This season starts harvesting for one house first, then the other season starts from the next house, and so on. If someone’s field is ripe first, then sit back at the table to flexibly adjust and agree to “settle”. Fairness happens naturally, almost completely. If there is a theft of rice, or theft of rice, it will be imported by free migrants, never from the M’nong Rlam community. Two rice crops a year, no worries about lack of rice. Food, vegetables, meat, fish are on the slopes of mountains, in fields, lakes, lagoons, gardens; planting and bartering, and even buying. It reminds people of what is simple and pure, in harmony with heaven and earth, plants and trees, about the peaceful life that was once real in the world. And, the forest is tolerant, chivalrous, immense kindness. “Where there is a forest, there is food”, the M’nong have a saying. * The twenty-first century has passed a fifth, and oh behold, the long houses of wood combined with bamboo and the wild lifestyle are still rife. The forest has been stripped white even in the mountains, because of the times, the fields appear in their original form. The To, Yel, Kdie, Dham, Pai Bi, Triek, Mih, Duong Krieng, M’Lieng, Le, Jun, Bong Krang, Yang Tao… in Lak district (Dak Lak) are filled with such longhouses. The basket became the inseparable object of M’nong women. The figure of the woman still casts shadows on the houses. They still carry bags on their shoulders up and down the long house. The woman is the owner of the kitchen, and the owner of everything on that long house, and in the fields near and far. The matriarchy, and the children bearing the mother’s surname, stand tall in the midst of this modern age. However, the man is still respected and respected. They still eat hot pot, drink beer, talk about Saigon, Hanoi – from the internet. They still wear jeans, ride motorbikes, and wear sunglasses. But the most meaningful days for them are still baking all that can be eaten, drinking the wine from the jar. They go back to their nature when they can. They do not accept lying when sitting together. Lying will make people smaller, and lose “place” in the community. They take “love” as the quality of life. Take love and sharing as the goal. And material and comfort as tools and means for the other two. All humanity knows the core and ultimate life value in life, but if they can’t do it, here, the M’nong Rlam can do it, gently, naturally… * Every time they wandered, rested, slept, stayed in their long house, how could it feel close, warm and natural. Is not to be careful in walking, speaking, looking, watching, listening, reading. You can sleep anywhere you like. I like to sing whenever I feel inspired. No need to say hello or thank you much. They say gifts for them should not be bought with money but come to them, and remember them when going. They say that they have something to eat when they stay at home, never planning food, drinks, space layout. Bon of the M’nong people who work in wet fields since ancient times has been organized in a lang class. “Modern” and “civilized” are in this spirit of life, not far away. Luxury is the spirit of luxury, not the person, the place, the food, the place to stay, the place to play, the place to talk. The needy soul, the messy heart, no matter how beautiful the dress, how expensive the car is, how big the house is, it’s just fooling your own heart and fooling people. The true happiness of anyone under this sky is also peace. * Thirty-five years ago, the forest still filled those arctic mountains and licked down Lak Lake. In the field is also bustling with aquatic species, let alone rivers and lakes. Absolute purity, originality, originality. And basically there are only M’nong Rlam people, and M’nong Gar people are nearby. Now, dozens of ethnic groups flock here. The land is suddenly cramped, compressed, and pressured on the mountains, down the fields, swamps, and lakes. These M’nong bon are suddenly wrapped, peeled off from the green, suddenly playing with. Pity. Here and there, people from Buon Ma Thuot, forty-five kilometers from them, began to open tours that brought tourists from far away to their places to earn money. Truthfulness, wisdom, and civilization are exploited by shrewdness. Tourist footsteps pressed on his head, the branches and grasses there were buried thick. I love for the model of the world’s pure and beautiful life in the midst of the tumultuous world everywhere and especially when it is in the plans of those far away who do not create value, do not commit, pay tribute. Donate and focus on reaping benefits in the easiest way. This world has been shaken and broken by the trend of “materializing” the world, “convenience”, “maximizing”, “devising”. When is M’nong Rlam’s turn? Articles and photos: Nguyen Hang Tinh

From the city center of Buon Ma Thuot, drive 56 kilometers south for more than 1 hour, you will be present at this beautiful natural place. As the largest freshwater lake in the Central Highlands, the lake is surrounded by a vast primitive forest with rich flora and fauna, the surface of the lake is flat, green, reflecting the silhouette of mountains and forests. The course is beautiful, peaceful and very poetic. Living around the lake are mostly M’Nong people from villages such as Jun village, M’Lieng village, Le village … which still retain many unique traditional cultural values. Therefore, when traveling to Lak lake, tourists not only can feel the natural beauty but also have the opportunity to discover cultural beauty. In it, you should not miss the opportunity to experience elephant riding in Ho Lak. Surely this is a very wonderful experience for those who love the Central Highlands elephants. Accordingly, in Jun village, there are about 20 elephants living and participating in tourism activities, visitors can visit to play with elephants, feed the elephants, and especially ride elephants to visit Lak Lake, interesting wonder. Below is a series of photos by Dr. Mai Kieu Phuong capturing the elephant moments in Lake Lak at dawn and dusk.