According to the elders, kerosene lamps originated in the West, and some people called them "ada lamps." Before electricity, buying a kerosene lamp cost nearly a hundred bushels of rice, and only wealthy families could afford one to light up their homes during celebrations or the Lunar New Year.
Back then, my village had a few kerosene lamps. The soft light of the lamps created a warm atmosphere of community spirit. After a hard day's work, everyone gathered at Uncle Six's house at the end of the village to chat. Stories about farming, gardening, and their children's education continued under the soft light of the kerosene lamps.
In the past, a kerosene lamp was worth nearly a hundred bushels of rice.
My grandmother also had a kerosene lamp, which had been working well for decades. Whenever she had free time, she would take it out to clean and admire it. Throughout her life, she worked hard, toiling in the fields, and saved up enough money to buy the lamp. She cherished it so much that she always replaced the kerosene mesh and lit the lamp herself. The kerosene was like a small mesh bag; you had to be careful when replacing the mesh because if it tore, it couldn't light. She would take the mesh out, dip it in oil, and then light it. The kerosene would catch fire, burning black and warped. Yet, just a few seconds later, it would burn brightly and perfectly round like a chicken egg, beginning to glow.
Uncle Six's house at the beginning of the village also had a kerosene lamp left behind by his late father. Before each night fishing trip, Uncle Six would take the lamp out and refill it with oil. The children would just wait for this opportunity to gather around and watch. We saw Uncle Six pour oil into the lamp and pump air in. After lighting the flame, the kerosene lamp slowly lit up and then suddenly blazed brightly, making a pleasant hissing sound.
The job of casting nets and setting lines has been Uncle Six's life for nearly 20 years, and for just as long, the kerosene lamp has diligently illuminated his arduous nighttime livelihood. Before electricity, those who went fishing at night could only hope to have an oil lamp; therefore, Uncle Six considered himself luckier than others to have a kerosene lamp at home. The small kerosene net emitted light that was no less bright than today's electric lights. We children would help Uncle Six cast his nets down into the canal.
While waiting to pull up the nets, we huddled together listening to Uncle Six tell stories. In the darkness of the night, the children's heads were pressed together, occasionally punctuated by the sounds of swatting mosquitoes and the joyful laughter of those listening to Uncle Six's amusing tales. Having earned his living by fishing year-round, Uncle Six wasn't well-off, so he had to take advantage of night fishing trips. This work helped improve his meals and provided him with extra income. The afternoon rain had brought many snakehead fish to the edge of the rice paddies. The kerosene lamp proved useful, casting its light across the ditches and bushes. After catching enough fish, Uncle Six refueled his boat with more oil for the next night's fishing trip.
The light from kerosene lamps illuminates the arduous nighttime struggles of farmers in the Mekong Delta.
Back then, the happiest times in my village were when someone was hosting a party, a memorial service, or a wedding. From the afternoon, everyone would gather to prepare fish, pick vegetables, and wash rice. Party nights usually had one or two kerosene lamps for light. A kerosene lamp was a prized possession for many, but if a family didn't have one, they could borrow one from a neighbor. The borrower would then buy some oil to light it. That showed how much people cared for each other and shared everything in life. That's the kind of kindness people have in the countryside.
Outside, the women and men arranged the food and dishes, while inside, Uncle Hai pumped oil to keep the oil lamp burning until the party ended. The children gathered around, delighted to watch, as no one usually brought out kerosene lamps to light. They watched, but had to be very careful; breaking a lamp meant a beating. The party was more lively with the presence of the kerosene lamp. The lamp placed in the center illuminated a large area of the courtyard.
Over time, electric lights gradually replaced traditional lamps. Now, kerosene lamps can only be found in the collections of antique enthusiasts. They remind people of a bygone era, of a light imbued with the soul of the countryside that has faded into the past.
To relive past memories, many seek out spaces with this nostalgic light. Somewhere in the heart of the city, you can still find kerosene lamps in cafes. Although they no longer use mesh bags for fuel but instead electric bulbs, the shape of the kerosene lamp remains unchanged, still casting a light that brings back sweet memories for me and the people of the countryside.
Text and photos: NGUYEN THE ANH
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