Preserving the cultural beauty of Puk-boh in the Truong Son Highlands

Like many other ethnic groups, the Puk-bóh (fireplace) holds a deeply important place in the lives of the Pa Ko people. Though time continues to pass, the communities living at the foot of the Truong Son Mountains remain committed to preserving and honoring the cultural beauty of the Puk-bóh—a symbol of love and care passed down through generations by their ancestors.

Tracing the origins of Puk-boh

In the blistering July heat, we traveled over 100 kilometers from Dong Ha Ward, tracing Route 9, crossing the Dakrong suspension bridge, and winding along the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Our destination was the home of Mai Hoa Sen, a Meritorious Artisan from Apul – Ka Hep hamlet in Ta Rut commune. Nestled on a green mountain slope, his stilt house stands proud, surrounded by vast forest landscapes. As we arrived, Mr. Sen welcomed us with a warm smile and invited us to sit around the glowing hearth—known as Puk-boh in the Pa Ko language.

Mr. Sen, wearing a headscarf, proudly speaks about the Puk-boh hearth. – Photo: K.S.

His wife, Mrs. Ho Thi Danh, nearly 75 years old but still remarkably agile, was preparing ingredients for Aar ver cân đưh Pkoh—a traditional porridge dish of the Pa Ko people. “In every stilt house, regardless of how many families live together, each living quarter must have its own hearth. The hearth is built in the center of each living space and always includes a cooking loft above it, except in guest areas,” she explained. “Before moving into a new house, the cooking loft must be installed first. Only after that do we begin building the hearth itself.”

Mr. Sen continued the story: “All belongings can be moved into a new home, but without the cooking loft, the house is incomplete. Only when the loft is in place, with the chosen materials laid out—leaves for layering, bark for the frame, and termite mound soil for molding—can we hold the ceremony and officially build the hearth.”

The Pa Ko believe that every house has its own spirit, and the hearth is central to that sacred presence. Termite mound soil is the preferred material for building the hearth base. It is strong, clean, and symbolic of harmony, encouraging family members to live peacefully, much like termites in a mound. Special leaves, such as Ar-lang, Ar-dong, or Acher, are used to ensure the structure is firm and resistant to decay.

The hearth frame is crafted from the bark of the Pa-cha tree, believed to repel evil spirits and balance yin and yang energy. Though the hearth has a square shape, only three of its sides are named. The side called Buh faces the owner's sleeping area. Tar-vieng, the lower side, is the walkway and storage space for kitchen tools. The Pluong sides are for sleeping—typically reserved for mothers, children, or guests.

Each hearth stands on three equal-sized stones collected from local rivers. These stones are clean and arranged in a perfect triangle, symbolizing balance and stability. The Puk-boh fills the house with warmth and deters mosquitoes, termites, and even wild animals.

There is also spiritual symbolism associated with the hearth. If the edge of the hearth is burned, it could signify different omens. A burn on the lower side may indicate a successful hunt. A burn on the upper side could mean the family may lose a guest or friend. Burns on the sides might hint at illness in the household. That is why, even when away from home, the Pa Ko extinguish the fire entirely for safety, though when present, the fire is rarely allowed to go out.

The phrase “A-Boh a-peh, Adeh ti-ngan” from ancient Pa Ko incantations means "The family and the cooking tools are one." This phrase emphasizes the inseparable bond between the hearth, the household, and family love. The hearth symbolizes the nurturing and enduring efforts of family members to keep warmth and unity alive through each meal and each passing day.

Mr. and Mrs. Viet often light the firewood stove together on their stilt house – Photo: K.S.

A flame that never dies

The Pa Ko people are primarily agricultural, and their fields often lie far from their homes. They wake early to cook rice and pack meals, making the hearth glow twice daily—at dawn and dusk. In the morning, it fuels the day’s labor. In the evening, it becomes the heart of the home, where stories are shared, songs are sung, and meals are enjoyed in unison.

Nineteen-year-old Ho Thi Giang, Mr. Sen’s granddaughter and a first-year student at Da Nang College of Economics and Planning, returned home for the summer to help her parents in the fields. “Lighting the fire and gathering with my family brings me immense happiness,” Giang shared. “Around the Puk-boh, our elders tell ancient tales, sing folk songs, and share their life experiences. I feel grateful to grow up in a place so rich in culture, and I am determined to help preserve the beauty of the Puk-boh tradition.”

Like many Pa Ko families in the highlands, Ho Van Viet’s household in A Dang hamlet treasures their Puk-boh. Even after building a new home a few years ago, they preserved their old house solely for family meals by the hearth. “No matter how modern life gets, I teach my children and grandchildren to respect and protect our hearth,” Mr. Viet said.

“The Puk-boh survives not just due to living conditions but because it is a cultural icon. It represents sacred values and emotional connections within the Pa Ko community,” Mr. Sen emphasized. “That’s why we encourage each other to keep the Puk-boh flame alive, always.”

A living cultural symbol

For the Pa Ko, the hearth is more than a fire pit. It is the soul of the home, a connection between generations, and a guardian of tradition. As Vietnam continues to modernize and rural life evolves, the Puk-boh remains an enduring reminder of the nation’s ethnic diversity and the warmth of familial love.

Beyond its utilitarian role, the Puk-boh embodies resilience, care, and belonging. Each flicker of the fire tells a story, each ember holds a memory, and each shared meal strengthens the ties between generations.

As we left Mr. Sen’s home, the image of his family seated around the glowing fire lingered in our minds. In a world rapidly moving toward automation and digital convenience, the simple yet profound presence of the Puk-boh serves as a quiet lesson in grounding, unity, and cultural pride.

Whether nestled under the green canopy of the Truong Son mountains or in the memories of Pa Ko descendants living far away, the Puk-boh continues to burn—steadily and lovingly—lighting the way forward with echoes of the past.

Ko Kan Suong - Ngoc Mai