The Custom of Drinking Stem Wine – A Symbol of Community Bonding

The custom of drinking stem wine is a unique traditional cultural feature of many ethnic minorities in Vietnam, especially popular in the Central Highlands and the northern mountainous regions. This wine is fermented directly in earthenware jars using natural ingredients such as glutinous rice, corn, and cassava combined with wild leaf yeast, and then enjoyed through long straws (stems) made of bamboo or reed.

Unlike ordinary distilled spirits, stem wine is not merely a beverage but also carries profound cultural and spiritual significance. Drinkers often gather around the wine jar, sharing fragrant sips amidst the sounds of gongs, singing, and a festive atmosphere. For this reason, stem wine has become a symbol of unity, hospitality, and community spirit, present in almost all important rituals such as new rice celebrations, weddings, traditional festivals, or occasions welcoming honored guests among ethnic groups like the Ede, Jrai, Bahnar, M'nong, Thai, and Muong.

Through many generations, the custom of drinking stem wine has been preserved as an indispensable part of community cultural life, contributing to the unique identity of Vietnam's ethnic groups.

The custom of drinking stem wine has a long-standing history, closely tied to the spiritual and cultural lives of many highland ethnic groups in Vietnam. In traditional belief, stem wine is not just a drink but also a sacred gift from the gods. Many folk legends tell that the art of winemaking was taught to humans by deities or sacred animals, becoming an integral part of community life ever since.

Through many generations, stem wine has always been present in important village events such as new rice ceremonies, weddings, housewarming celebrations, rain prayers, offerings to spirits, or welcoming honored guests. The jar of stem wine is considered a bridge between humans and the spiritual realm, as well as a means to unite community members. Around the wine jar, all distances seem to fade away as people share joys and sorrows, exchange good wishes, and strengthen their bond of solidarity.

The core value of the stem wine drinking custom lies in its deep sense of community. The image of many people drinking from the same wine jar symbolizes unity, togetherness, and mutual support in life. Therefore, in many traditional festivals, the stem wine jar is not only a ceremonial item but also regarded as the soul of the festivities, contributing to a warm, cohesive atmosphere rich in ethnic cultural identity.

To create a delicious jar of stem wine, local people must go through many meticulous steps while preserving ancient family secrets passed down through generations.

The basic process includes:

• Making the yeast: Using various forest leaves, tubers, and roots according to unique recipes, drying them, and mixing them with rice flour to create yeast starter.
• Preparing ingredients: Glutinous rice, corn, or cassava are cooked, allowed to cool, and thoroughly mixed with the yeast.
• Fermenting in jars: The mixture is placed in earthenware jars, sealed tightly, and fermented naturally for days or months.

Winemakers usually adhere to traditional rules regarding cleanliness and taboos during processing to ensure the best flavor. It is this painstaking effort that creates the distinct character of stem wine among the highland ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Not just a traditional beverage, stem wine is also tied to rituals rich in the cultural identity of highland ethnic groups. 

• Preparation: Place the wine jar in the center of the house or tie it to a decorated pole. Line the neck of the jar with forest leaves to filter residue, then pour clean spring water in and let it soak (for about 1 hour). Insert bamboo straws (1 to 4 straws depending on the jar size).
• Order of drinking: Usually determined by age and gender (women before men in matriarchal ethnic groups like the Ede), host – shaman – honored guests. The host tastes first to prove the wine is safe.
• Drinking method: Sip through the bamboo straw, keeping hold of it (cover the tip of the straw with your thumb when passing it to another). Use a buffalo horn or measuring stick to measure each person's portion ("cữ"). When offering wine, chants, songs, and dances accompany the drinking.
• Rules: Never drink alone, and avoid getting uncontrollably drunk. Drinking demonstrates hospitality and sociability.

It is these distinctive rules and rituals that turn stem wine drinking into a unique cultural feature, contributing to community bonding and preserving ethnic identity across generations.

The custom of drinking stem wine is not only a unique cultural trait but also a vivid symbol of solidarity, sharing, and hospitality among Vietnam's ethnic minorities. It serves as a bridge connecting people to people, and humanity to nature and the spiritual realm. Preserving and promoting this precious custom is not merely saving a culinary tradition, but protecting a vital part of Vietnamese cultural soul, ensuring this beauty endures and shines for generations to come.