Amidst the mountains and forests of Trà Leng, alongside the sounds of gongs, the brocade fabrics, and the scent of cinnamon wafting in the wind, jar wine has long been an integral part of the cultural life of the Ca Dong, Xơ Đăng, and Mơ Nông ethnic groups. Each jar of wine opened on important occasions carries a story of unity, hospitality, and community values preserved through many generations.
For the people of Trà Leng, jar wine is not merely a traditional drink. It is a symbol of reunion, a welcome greeting for distant guests, and the fermented spirit that connects people during village festivals.
The Fermented Flavor Preserved by Generations of Experience
To create a jar of wine, the people of Trà Leng use familiar ingredients from the mountains and forests such as rice, sticky rice, or cassava, combined with leaf yeast made from various indigenous forest plants. Each family often has its own secret in selecting ingredients and blending the yeast, creating a distinctive flavor passed down from parents to children.
After cooking, the ingredients are thoroughly mixed with yeast and then fermented in clay jars for a certain period. The fermentation process occurs entirely naturally, influenced by temperature, humidity, and the experience of the winemaker. It is the patience and meticulousness in each step that create the mild, fragrant wine with the distinctive aroma of the Trà Leng mountains and forests.
The craft of making jar wine thus becomes a part of the community's indigenous knowledge. Each jar of wine is the result of an understanding of nature, skill in processing, and experience accumulated over many generations.
The Jar Wine is the Centerpiece of Village Festivals
In traditional festivals, new rice celebrations, weddings, housewarmings, or occasions to welcome distinguished guests, the jar of wine is always placed in a prominent position. Everyone gathers around the jar, drinks together through long bamboo straws, chats, sings folk songs, and immerses themselves in the echoing sounds of gongs amidst the mountains and forests.
The image of many people drinking from a single jar of wine expresses the spirit of attachment, sharing, and equality within the community. Regardless of age or status, everyone raises the bamboo straw together as a wish for health, a bountiful harvest, and a peaceful life.
For the people of the highlands, inviting guests to drink jar wine is also a way to show hospitality and respect. When guests drink from the same jar as the host, it means becoming friends, sharing joy and community connection. Therefore, in many cultural festivals in Trà Leng, jar wine always appears as a beautiful tradition contributing to a warm and distinctive atmosphere.
Preserving Traditional Fermented Flavor in Community Tourism Development
Along with the orientation of developing community tourism, jar wine is increasingly becoming a cultural experience that attracts many tourists when visiting Trà Leng. Instead of just enjoying the taste of the traditional drink, visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the process of making leaf yeast, how to ferment the wine, and the meaning of each ritual associated with the jar wine.
In cultural events and the Trà Leng Cinnamon Festival, the image of the jar wine placed amidst the space of gongs, brocade, and local products has contributed to introducing the highland identity to a large number of people and tourists. This is also a way for cultural values to spread through intimate and authentic experiences.
Preserving the craft of making jar wine not only contributes to preserving a beautiful tradition but also opens up opportunities for developing tourism products with a strong local imprint. When culture becomes the foundation for sustainable development, each jar of wine will continue to tell the story of the people of Trà Leng – sincere, hospitable, and always preserving the values cultivated for generations.
