The Birth of Lêng: A Mnong Epic (Abridged Edition)

Đẻ Lêng is a traditional epic of the Mơ Nông people of Vietnam's Central Highlands, recounting the extraordinary life and adventures of Lêng, a hero endowed with supernatural powers. Born under unusual circumstances, separated from his birth mother, and raised in a world where humans and divine beings interact, Lêng undergoes numerous trials, fierce battles, and a journey to discover his origins. The narrative weaves together themes of maternal love, reunion, romance, courage, and conflicts between communities. Through fantastic imagery, mythic battles, and rhythmic storytelling, the epic offers insights into Mơ Nông cosmology, spiritual beliefs, and social life. Originally performed by the storyteller Điểu Mpioih, the epic was collected by Đỗ Hồng Kỳ and Lê Ngọc Phúc, and transcribed and translated into Vietnamese by Điểu Kâu. The complete version was published in 2006, followed by an abridged edition in 2009, contributing to the preservation and wider appreciation of Mơ Nông oral epic heritage.