The story of Giàng village's woven mats being "exported abroad"

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Preserving traditional crafts is already difficult, but taking them further and reaching international markets is an even more arduous journey. Yet, amidst countless challenges, the story of products made from bamboo mats in Giang village being able to "export" abroad stands out as a new direction, offering hope for the craft village.

Mr. Duong Khac Thanh stands beside a batch of bamboo products awaiting export.

The craft of weaving bamboo mats in Giang village (Ham Rong ward) has a long history, closely linked to the lifestyle of farmers in Thanh Hoa province. The mats are made from bamboo, specifically young and old bamboo stalks. After being split into thin strips, they are dried and then hand-woven. The finished mats are often used to store rice, dry agricultural products, as partitions, or for ceilings. Thanks to skillful weaving techniques, Giang village mats are renowned for their durability, strength, uniformity, and minimal warping.

The years 1986-1990 were a heyday for the craft of weaving bamboo mats. There were months when, after deducting production costs, the money from selling the mats was enough for people to buy a whole gold coin at that time. Back then, the whole village was bustling with the sounds of splitting bamboo strips and weaving mats; everyone, every household, was involved in mat weaving. More than just a means of livelihood, mat weaving became a way of life, a deeply ingrained part of the villagers' culture.

But over time, the craft of weaving bamboo mats gradually declined. Young people were no longer interested in the laborious work with its modest income. Many switched to working as factory workers in industrial zones, going abroad for work, or learning new trades... Those who still cling to the craft are mainly the elderly and middle-aged women. "Weaving bamboo mats is not just manual labor, but also an art. Each weave must be strong and even, creating a flat, beautiful surface without any unevenness," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh, a resident who has been involved in the craft for over 40 years.

In those difficult times, Mr. Duong Khac Thanh, a son of Giang village, chose a different path after returning from military service. Not only did he preserve the craft, but he also gradually expanded the market by proactively linking with export companies. In the early years, he had to travel to other provinces to find markets and introduce his products. Marketing a traditional handicraft, which was no longer as popular as before, was not easy. Many times he took samples to introduce his products but quietly returned home because no one was interested.

Fortunately, during that persistent journey, he found an export company that shared his interest in traditional products. From there, they established a partnership, signed a supply contract, and gradually brought Giang village's woven mats to the international market. Today, Giang village's woven mats are available in Sweden and several Southeast Asian countries.

This success opens a new direction for the craft village, proving that traditional products can absolutely conquer the international market if they maintain quality and unique characteristics. Currently, Mr. Thanh's facility provides regular employment for about 200 local households. Each year, he invests hundreds of millions of dong to purchase raw materials such as bamboo and rattan from mountainous districts of the province and then brings them back for the villagers to weave. The average annual consumption of raw materials is 300-400 tons, contributing to solving the livelihood problem for many families.

"Export products have very high demands regarding design, sophistication, and aesthetics. Meanwhile, bamboo mats are entirely handcrafted, from processing to weaving and preservation. Even a little mold due to weather or a small technical error can cause the entire shipment to be returned or sold at a very low price," Mr. Thanh shared.

As evidenced by his early years, he faced numerous defective and returned orders, even to the point of almost giving up. But with faith in traditional values, he persevered, improving designs, training workers to enhance their skills, and applying new preservation techniques to meet export standards. Gradually overcoming obstacles, Giang village's woven mats have begun to establish their brand from a riverside craft village. Each year, Mr. Thanh's facility exports approximately 100,000 mats. It is known that, based on current market prices, the price of exported woven mats can be 2-3 times higher than the price of regular mats sold in the domestic market, depending on product quality.

More than just a story of a handcrafted product "going abroad," the journey of Giàng village's woven mats is also a valuable lesson about preserving and promoting traditional values ​​in a modern context. "To preserve the craft, we must change our mindset, both cherishing and promoting the old and the traditional, while also bravely forging new paths," Mr. Thành shared.

Now, in his old age, Mr. Thanh no longer directly participates in every stage of production as before, but every time he sees the bamboo mats rolled up and loaded onto container trucks to be transported everywhere, his heart fills with joy. His old craft, once on the verge of collapse, now has a chance to revive, providing a stable income for the villagers, making him feel that all the hardships of the past were completely worthwhile.

Text and photos: Dinh Giang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuyen-cot-lang-giang-xuat-ngoai-254678.htm