SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL IMPRINTS OF CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ETHNIC MINORITIES REFLECTED IN TOMB HOUSE ARCHITECTURE

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1067.2025-0020

Abstract

This article focuses on the architectural form of the tomb house, a highly symbolic and spiritual structure that reflects the rich spiritual world of ethnic minorities in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Through an analysis of architectural structure, decorative patterns, sculptural art forms, and characteristic rituals, especially the Lễ bỏ mả (abandoning the tomb) ceremony, which marks the symbolic farewell to the deceased, the article highlights the close relationship between tomb house architecture and the indigenous people's cosmology, anthropology, and worldview. This architectural practice reflects the belief in the soul’s continued existence after death and expresses a philosophy of living in harmony with nature, the community, and the spiritual world. Based on these insights, the article proposes some recommendations for preserving and promoting indigenous cultural values in the context of modernization and increasing cultural interaction. It also highlights the importance of safeguarding ethnic cultural identity as a crucial component of sustainable development in the Central Highlands region.