Four centuries of preserving and spreading the heritage of Nam Cao silk weaving.

Artisans of the Nam Cao silk weaving village.

From the very beginning of the village, the rhythmic sounds of looms resound, evoking the vibrant life of a community with a long history of traditional weaving. The villagers not only preserve ancient techniques but also expand the experiential space for tourists to visit, learn about, and fully appreciate the value of this distinctive type of fabric.

Although there are no longer many looms operating manually with foot pedals and hand pulls, in Nam Cao village (Le Loi commune, Hung Yen province) today, semi-manual looms with added motors have significantly increased productivity.

Semi-manual looms help increase productivity.

Previously, each weaver could only produce 2-3 meters of fabric per day, but now, thanks to improved equipment, they can complete 30-40 meters. However, some specialized fabrics still require traditional loom weaving to ensure quality and finesse.

A bustling atmosphere of work surrounds the looms.

Historically, the Nam Cao silk weaving village experienced a period of flourishing development. After many changes, production is now mainly concentrated in two enterprises and a few households, with the Nam Cao Silk Weaving Cooperative being the main player. Established in 2016, the cooperative has gradually developed mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming areas, proactively securing raw materials for its members and affiliated households. To date, the cooperative supports nearly 90 households in maintaining the craft, providing stable employment for approximately 150 workers directly involved in the yarn spinning, weaving, and finishing stages of the product.

The colors of the silk fabric gradually appear with each movement of the loom.

Mr. Ha The Cong, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Le Loi Commune, said: "In the 1980s, the silk weaving craft flourished. Nam Cao silk products were exported to international markets. However, around 1990, the craft declined, and many households had to switch to other jobs. Currently, the commune still has two large production facilities, including the Nam Cao Silk Weaving Cooperative, which is maintained and promoted by dedicated individuals, exporting products abroad and supporting people in expanding production scale. Currently, the commune has planned a 29-hectare area in the west. In the future, the cooperatives will be moved here to create a space for preserving the craft village in conjunction with developing eco-cultural tourism , opening up a more sustainable direction for the traditional craft."

Introducing the products to visitors.

Nam Cao silk products are woven from the core of silkworm cocoons, creating a naturally textured yet soft, lightweight, and breathable material. The production process requires meticulous attention to detail at every stage: mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, yarn spinning, reeling, weaving, and final dyeing. The most arduous step is spinning silkworm cocoons. Workers must immerse their hands in water for 8-10 hours to spin the silkworms. Each worker can only spin 70-100 grams of silk per day.

The silk threads are lustrous.

With its natural material and diverse applications, Nam Cao silk is used to produce fabrics, ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), skirts, scarves, bags, blankets, pillowcases, decorative products, etc. Recently, the Nam Cao silk bedding set from the Nam Cao Silk Weaving Cooperative was recognized as a 4-star OCOP product. This is a great encouragement for the artisans who persistently preserve their craft.

These craftsmen persevere in preserving their trade.

Besides preserving traditional crafts, the Nam Cao silk weaving village is focusing on developing experiential tourism. The village has begun welcoming domestic and international visitors to tour and learn about the production process; tourists can listen to artisans tell stories about the craft, directly spin yarn, weave fabric, and dye scarves… thereby spreading the cultural values of the craft village in contemporary life.

NGOC LIEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bon-the-ky-gin-giu-va-lan-toa-di-san-nghe-det-dui-nam-cao-post928228.html