Klei khan Y Dam San

Klei Khan Y Dam San (klei khan: epic, Y: middle name of Ede people for male, literally: The Great Epic of Sir Dam San) is a famous seven-chapter epic of the Ede people of Vietnam's Central Highlands. It is about the heroic chieftain Dam San.

Content

As of Chuê nuê custom (literally: "tying strings/robes", meaning: the widow must get married with her spouse's blood-relationship male. This is a custom typical of matriarchal systems), Dam San got tied up with two sisters, Hnhí and Hbhí. He was courageous enough to fight against two chieftains, Mtao Grư (Eagle Chieftain) and Mtao Mxây (Iron Chieftain), who had caught his wives and won. Then, he wanted to struggle against this depraved custom. So, he chopped down the smuk tree--the life tree of his wives' line of blood. As a result, Hnhí and Hbhí died. Dam San became filled with sorrow. He came to the heaven, disputed and planned to cut the God's head. The God directed him to bring life to his wives. At that time, Dam San was the most powerful chieftain; however, he was displeased. His aspiration is catching Goddess The Sun and getting married with her. Dam San, at last, was failed and died because of his frenzied desire. His spirit changed into a fly and flew into his sister's mouth causing her getting pregnant. Dam San The Nephew was born and continued to get tied up with Hnhí and Hbhí and went on to do his uncle's unfinished work.