Livelihood Sovereignty and Village Wellbeing - H’rê Ethnic Minority People in Violak Village in Central highland Vietnam
It is indeed a big challenge for the author - who is not an indigenous H’rê person of Violak village, who is basically different from them in perception of values and in practice of civilized norms toward the surrounding natural landscape, in consciousness and civil responsibility of village to its individuals, and above all, in life philosophy in the context of the primary spiritual ecology space of Violak village - to write a true book about the H’rê people. It also is not simple or easy for those who would like to enter the world of the H’rê in Violak village while still embedded in prejudice against this ethnic minority group.
In the author’s journey to deeply and thoroughly understand and write this case study - about a system of respectful and grateful behaviors toward Sky and Earth, day and night, through Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Harvest seasons, through Moon, Sun, Stars, Da Tree and Inta bird that have been flourishing in Violak village with their very unique way of governing the spiritual and material life, and their responsible ‘Livelihood Sovereignty’ toward the natural resources and inter-generations - mistakes could inevitably be made.
This case study focuses on describing the process of H’rê people in Violak village exercising their ‘Livelihood Sovereignty’ and identity on the basis of numerous factors and indicators in terms of happiness and wellbeing that have constituted their village customary law, which is practiced in a self-governing manner by the villagers in order to nurture their ethnic identity. The sharing of this story is dedicated to our esteemed readers, who are grateful for Nature, responsible for self, and heartedly respect the life of our future generations.