The enduring tradition of charcoal burning in Ca Mau

According to many residents, charcoal burning has been prevalent in Cho Thu area (formerly Tam Giang Tay commune, now Tan An commune, Ca Mau province) since the 1920s. The main material used for charcoal burning is mangrove wood. Ca Mau mangrove charcoal is widely consumed in the Mekong Delta provinces and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to many residents, charcoal burning has been prevalent in Cho Thu area (formerly Tam Giang Tay commune, now Tan An commune, Ca Mau province) since the 1920s. The main material used for charcoal burning is mangrove wood. Ca Mau mangrove charcoal is widely consumed in the Mekong Delta provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. Workers in the charcoal kilns endure a hot and polluted environment due to charcoal dust, but their wages only range from 300,000 to 400,000 VND per day. Despite the ups and downs of the charcoal burning profession, many people remain committed to it.

After filling the kiln with mangrove wood, the workers seal it and light the charcoal fire. Photo: TAN THAI

The mangrove wood used for charcoal production is purchased from local people during the mangrove forest harvesting cycle (15-20 years) and has a clear origin.

Put firewood into the furnace, prepare for charcoal burning.

After filling the kiln with mangrove wood, the workers sealed it and lit the charcoal fire.

The craft of charcoal burning in Ca Mau is approximately one hundred years old.

Mangrove wood is neatly arranged to ensure even burning and minimal charcoal breakage.

Sorting finished coal products for distribution.

A charcoal burning cycle takes about 1.5-2 months. One charcoal kiln contains about 50m3 of wood (1m3 of mangrove wood yields about 200kg of charcoal).

TAN THAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ben-bi-nghe-ham-than-xu-ca-mau-post813977.html