The festival will include activities like gong performances and the “buffalo-stabbing” festival by participants from 34 provinces in Vietnam as well as gong troupes from across Southeast Asia.

Many Gia Lai gong troupes are preparing for the festival. . This is the gong troupe of Kong Long Khong commune, K'bang district.

Girls are practicing a special dance to celebrate the harvest season.
여성들이 수확을 축하하는 특별한 춤을 연습하고있다.

With over 5600 sets of gong and over 700 gong troupes, Gia Lai province preserves the highest number of gongs, which are family treasures.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Van, from the Gia Lai Department of Culture, Information and Tourism, only a few Gia Lai artisans can produce gongs that make good sounds.

Most members of traditional gong troupes are middle-aged or elderly people.  Young performers only play supporting gongs.

For Ba Na and Gia Rai people, gongs are not only musical instruments, but also tools that help foster mutual understanding.

Besides organizing festivals to preserve gong culture, Gia Lai province promotes their use in all celebrations.

A Pothi ceremony says goodbye to death forever. Pothi . This ceremony is also accompanied by gongs. 

After the ceremony, participants gather around ruou can (wine) jars.

Besides teaching gong performance at boarding schools, Gia Lai authorities also call for students to wear traditional ethnic clothing.