1. Reference Essay 4

Reference Paper No. 5
The excerpt "The Victory of Mtao-Mxây" does not conclude with death but with the jubilant celebration of victory, the growth of a community, and the resounding fame of the hero, Đăm Săn. The epic hero is the focal point in this grand depiction, overshadowing the entire natural and social landscape of the Ê đê people with both his achievements and stature.
In the worldview of the Ê đê people, war once played the role of a "midwife to history," helping the community to prosper and grow in wealth and happiness. In this development, the hero holds an immensely important and revered place. After every heroic deed, a grand celebration is held by the community to honor, praise, and express joy for the prosperity and the increasing population.
After his glorious victory over the chieftain Mtao-Mxây, Đăm Săn became the wealthiest and most powerful hero. His followers came like a flock of buffalo, and his wealth flowed in like a river of bees. Overflowing with joy, Đăm Săn organized a celebration for the entire tribe. His loud proclamation to open the feast resonated throughout the mountains, filling the air with excitement. The community of Ê đê and Ê ga came to life in vivid imagery. Towering within this society is the magnificent and romantic figure of Đăm Săn, whose beauty and strength were celebrated in the feast.
He is depicted as having the beauty and power of a god. The Ê đê and Ê ga people praise Đăm Săn as an indomitable warrior, unmatched in courage. "Wrapped in a warrior's blanket, his ears adorned with ornaments, weapons at his side, eyes sparkling like a bird, his calves as thick as a beam, thighs as large as a bellows, his strength equal to that of a male elephant, his breath thunders like a storm, when he lies face down the floor cracks, when he lies on his back, the beams break." Through vivid descriptions and comparisons, combined with the epic style's exaggerations and pauses, the people of Tây Nguyên have transformed their hero into a deity, with strength drawn from the mountains and the universe itself. His power is compared to the strongest, most beautiful elements of nature.
Born with a rebellious spirit and seasoned by countless battles, Đăm Săn grew into a warrior-god. He possesses all the beauty and strength of a divine being, as imagined by the creative minds and deep love of the people of Tây Nguyên. Not only does he have immense physical power, but he also embodies a romantic beauty: "Lying on a hammock with his hair spread out on the floor, his hair touching the ground forms a bed of flowers, his head wrapped in a headband, shoulders adorned with a flower crown, he eats without ever being full, drinks without ever being drunk, and converses endlessly." From these words, Đăm Săn emerges as a friendly, joyful person, unconcerned with status or wealth. He is a symbol of harmony between the fierce beauty of the mountains and the cosmos and the gentle, romantic beauty of the soul of the Tây Nguyên people. This beauty embodies both the grandeur of the hero and the unique, enchanting essence of Tây Nguyên culture.
Not only does he emerge with the beauty of strength and form, but Đăm Săn is also celebrated in the feast for his reverence of ancestors, gods, hospitality, and unwavering, generous spirit.
After the victory, Đăm Săn did not forget to send his servants to perform a ritual of gratitude to the ancestors and gods who had aided him, ensuring the prosperity of his tribe. "Oh children, oh children, go fetch wine, bring seven bulls, seven pigs to offer to the gods, seven jars of wine, seven castrated pigs, pray for peace, safety, and growth like rivers, rising tall like trees in the forest, with no one left to match us." His command for offerings demonstrates his deep respect for the gods and ancestors. This is the spiritual voice of the Ê đê people, representing their collective beliefs.
After performing the ritual, Đăm Săn invited his brothers, friends, and servants to feast: "Brothers in the house, relatives in the village, come join us, we will celebrate the new year..." His loud invitation echoes his generosity. He entertained his friends and village with abundant and luxurious gifts, filling the air with warmth and joy, so much so that "the fish in the holes, worms in the mud, cobras, and vipers all emerged to bask in the sun, frogs and lizards croaked under the house, the lizards in the fields cried loudly day and night." His friends came in droves: "The girls walked with their chests brushing, the boys with their chests pressed against each other." This celebration, unmatched in grandeur, was made possible because the Ê đê people finally had a leader who was courageous, generous, and heroic. This was the deep pride of the Ê đê people for their leader, Đăm Săn.
The construction of a grand and noble image of the hero, within the vibrant, flourishing community, is a striking feature of the epic of Tây Nguyên. The epic hero is absolutely revered by the entire community. Through the hero, we see the development and unity of the Ê đê community, which is a crucial expression of their national identity.

3. Reference text number 6
The excerpt from "The Victory of Mtao Mxây" recounts the journey of Dăm Săn to reclaim his wife. When Mtao Mxây hears that Dăm Săn and his followers have left their village, he devises a plan to abduct Dăm Săn's wife. He pretends to be a traveler, leaving behind a knife and asking her to bring it outside, where he kidnaps her. Upon hearing the news, Dăm Săn becomes furious and leads his army to Mtao Mxây's home to retrieve his wife. Mtao Mxây refuses to come out and fight, forcing Dăm Săn to threaten to destroy his house before Mtao Mxây finally appears. Mtao Mxây's defense is weak, while Dăm Săn is strong and mighty. Dăm Săn strikes Mtao Mxây, but the armor protects him. After a fierce battle, Dăm Săn, exhausted and disoriented, receives a divine vision of how to defeat Mtao Mxây. He overcomes him and rescues his wife. After the battle, Dăm Săn returns home to celebrate with his people.
The sound of the gong struck by Dăm Săn signals the beginning of a celebration, as the sound has long been a part of the E-de people's cultural identity. Soon, people gather at his house in large numbers, with even distant chiefs coming to join the festivities. Meanwhile, Dăm Săn rests on a hammock, his hair spilling onto the floor, showing his calm demeanor after the intense battle. To him, battle is a familiar experience.
The celebration is described as lavish, with an abundance of food, including pork and beef, and lasting throughout the dry season. Dăm Săn drinks without getting drunk, eats without getting full, and converses without tiring. This behavior reflects the typical conduct of a chief. The entire E-de region praises Dăm Săn as a brave warrior, and his fame spreads far and wide.
The final lines provide commentary from the author, describing Dăm Săn as a newly wealthy chief in the prime of his life, strong and renowned. His legs are described as thick as tree trunks, his thighs as big as bellows, his strength compared to that of a bull, and his breath like the rumbling of thunder. When he lies on his stomach, he breaks the floor, and when he lies on his back, the beams snap. Dăm Săn's strength has been remarkable since birth. These few lines vividly portray a powerful, muscular chief and reflect the admiration for his greatness.
In conclusion, the final part of "The Victory of Mtao Mxây" illustrates the celebration of victory, a key element of the E-de people's cultural identity.

4. Reference text number 1
Dăm Săn is a legendary epic of the E-de people that tells the story of their chief, Dăm Săn. Among the many impressive sections, the excerpt “The Victory of Mtao Mxây” stands out for its vivid portrayal of Dăm Săn’s triumph. The final part of the excerpt depicts the celebratory feast following his victory.
The story narrates Dăm Săn’s quest to reclaim his wife. Upon hearing that Dăm Săn and his men have left the village, Mtao Mxây devises a plan to abduct Dăm Săn's wife. Disguised as a passing traveler, he leaves behind a knife, asking her to fetch it, and then kidnaps her. Furious, Dăm Săn gathers his forces and marches to Mtao Mxây's home to retrieve her. However, Mtao Mxây refuses to come out and fight, forcing Dăm Săn to threaten the destruction of his house before the battle begins. Mtao Mxây’s defense is weak, while Dăm Săn is strong and mighty. After a brief confrontation, Dăm Săn strikes Mtao Mxây, but his armor protects him. Exhausted and desperate, Dăm Săn receives divine guidance on how to defeat Mtao Mxây. He emerges victorious and rescues his wife. Following the battle, Dăm Săn returns to his village and hosts a celebration.
The sound of a gong, summoned by Dăm Săn, signals the beginning of the festive occasion. The gong, an integral part of the E-de people’s culture, has long been associated with celebrations. Soon, a crowd gathers at Dăm Săn's house, with many guests, including distant chiefs, attending the feast. Meanwhile, Dăm Săn rests in a hammock, his hair draped across the floor, exuding a sense of relaxation after the intense conflict. To him, battles seem almost routine.
The celebration is described as grand, with an abundance of pork and beef, lasting throughout the dry season. Dăm Săn drinks without becoming drunk, eats without feeling full, and converses without tiring. His actions are typical of a leader. The entire E-de region praises Dăm Săn as a mighty warrior, and his fame has spread far and wide.
The closing lines include commentary from the author, portraying Dăm Săn as a powerful chief in his prime, with remarkable strength and fame. His legs are compared to tree trunks, his thighs to bellows, and his strength to that of a bull. His breath rumbles like thunder, and when he lies down, he breaks the floor. Dăm Săn’s power has been evident since birth. This brief description paints a picture of a muscular, formidable chief, reflecting the admiration and respect Dăm Săn commands.
The final part of “The Victory of Mtao Mxây” effectively conveys the lively, joyous atmosphere of the celebration, filled with hope and reverence for the hero, Dăm Săn.

5. Reference text number 2


