VNExpress-March 2
Deep in the mountains of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam, small huts and cave dwellings are scattered every few kilometers. At Chim Cave, a two-hour trek from Tan Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, what appears to be remnants of a primitive lifestyle is actually the home of Dinh Ne, 91, and Y Ru, 93. Outside their dwelling, hunting and foraging tools hang from rocky walls, while inside, a bamboo bed is raised high to avoid wild animals. Below the entrance, small plots of land provide vegetables and fruits, while a nearby stream serves as a water source. The couple has spent most of their lives in caves, and this one has been their main home for the past several years. The exact origins of the Arem people’s cave-dwelling traditions remain unknown to the couple. They only recall being raised in the caves from an early age. In 1956, border guards in Quang Binh discovered the Arem ethnic group living in isolated, steep limestone caves, leading a primitive existence – wearing clothes made from tree bark, hunting, and foraging, often consuming food raw. After the war, the government attempted to resettle the Arem people into villages. However, their deep-rooted connection to the forest made adaptation difficult. Epidemics and misfortunes were often attributed to the wrath of the “forest god,” prompting them to return to the wilderness. It was not until 2004 that most Arem people permanently left cave life when a stable village was established for them. Yet, for Dinh Ne, modern life has remained a challenge. He and his wife rarely left the forest in their younger years, only visiting the village for rice and salt. Even as their health declined, they continued to spend most of the year, March to October, living in the cave, returning to the village only occasionally. Having spent a lifetime in the wilderness, they find forest life more comfortable and secure. Their deep knowledge of edible plants and natural medicine allows them to survive with minimal supplies. Besides using nets and traps, they sometimes crush red cardamom leaves to stun fish, making them easy to collect. As they age, health challenges have made it harder for them to continue living in the caves. Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnamese-ethnic-couple-adapting-to-new-life-after-spending-90-years-living-in-caves-4853249.html
