The story of preserving the profession and island of Cu Lao Cham people

VHO - From the story of preserving trees, preserving raw materials to preserving the craft of weaving parasol hammocks, the people of Cu Lao Cham (Tan Hiep commune, Da Nang city) are spreading the spirit of preserving heritage through a lifestyle in harmony with nature and creative labor. Amidst the brilliant red color of parasol flowers, the craft of weaving hammocks is revived as a symbol of indigenous culture, becoming the core of a community tourism model - where visitors can experience, tell stories and join hands to preserve the unique values ​​of the island sea.

Preserving raw materials - preserving the craft heritage

With its unique creative value, in February 2024, the traditional hammock weaving craft in Cu Lao Cham (Tan Hiep commune, Da Nang city, formerly Hoi An city, Quang Nam province) was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Not only having material significance, hammocks woven from parasol fibers are also closely associated with the history of the formation and development of the island, containing the soul and feelings of the people of the sea. Each product is the crystallization of the process of persistent creative labor through many generations of Cu Lao Cham residents.

Royal poinciana flowers on Cu Lao Cham Island

Over time, the parasol hammock has become a typical cultural product, a symbol of the spiritual life of the islanders, and at the same time demonstrates the ingenious adaptability of the community to natural conditions. The craft of weaving parasol hammocks - a form of folk culture - contributes to reflecting indigenous knowledge in exploiting forest resources and preserving cultural identity.

It can be said that the craft of weaving parasol hammocks is a unique heritage, playing an important role in the lives of the people of Cu Lao Cham in particular, and in the national cultural treasure in general. Folk knowledge of exploiting and processing raw materials is the core factor that helps the craft to exist sustainably, maintaining the value of the heritage left by our ancestors.

In 2014 and 2015, a 100-year-old parasol tree at Hon Lao, along with a group of three ancient red parasol trees 155-250 years old at Tinh stream slope, were recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees. The preservation and development of this tree species is both to preserve a precious plant species and to protect the raw materials and the soul of the traditional craft.

The people of Cu Lao Cham exploit raw materials according to their own rules: only pruning the branches of the parasol tree as big as the wrist, exploiting just enough raw materials for about five hammocks each year, absolutely not cutting them down indiscriminately. Each branch is pruned properly, each tree is cared for and replanted - that is how people prolong the life of the hammock weaving heritage. Mr. Nguyen Vinh, a local resident shared: "Keeping the parasol tree means keeping the raw materials, keeping the profession, keeping the soul of the island. As long as the tree remains, the profession remains"...

Not stopping at sustainable exploitation, Tan Hiep commune authorities and people have also actively planted new parasol trees. In recent years, at each "Cu Lao Cham - Red Parasol Flower Season" Festival, the locality has launched a movement to plant parasol trees along the 350-meter-long red parasol road from Bai Lang village's welcome gate to Quyet Thang street intersection, creating a unique check-in point every blooming season. Parasol trees are now commonly planted in public areas, along fishing villages and in people's gardens, both expanding green space and preserving valuable raw materials for hammock weaving.

Developing tourism associated with preserving crafts

Held for the first time in 2022, the “Cu Lao Cham - Red Corn Flower Season” Festival has become a special annual event of Tan Hiep island commune, taking place every August to honor the beauty of the island's typical flower and attract a large number of tourists to visit and experience.

The organization of a festival dedicated to the parasol tree has created a unique eco-cultural tourism product, contributing to promoting the image of Cu Lao Cham throughout the country. This is also an opportunity to honor the heritage of parasol hammock weaving, because protecting and developing this tree species is to preserve raw materials, preserve and promote the value of traditional crafts, and at the same time form more typical local tourism products.

Demonstration of hammock weaving from parasol trees

At each Festival, Tan Hiep commune organizes check-in points with parasol flowers, displays products from parasol trees, introduces and demonstrates hammock weaving. Along with that are exciting cultural and sports activities imbued with the island's characteristics such as Bai Choi performances, Ba Trao singing, basket shaking competitions, tug of war in the water, boat racing or artistic canoe performances...

Visitors and locals participating in the festival are encouraged to use environmentally friendly products, limit plastic bags and single-use plastic. In addition to developing cultural tourism, activities to experience hammock weaving and create new products from corn have brought revenue to the locality, increased income for locals, and created motivation to preserve and pass on the craft to the younger generation.

The Traditional Craft Village Tourism Cooperative and the Moc Cham Community Livelihood Model are typical destinations for organizing experiences in the craft of weaving cotton hammocks, attracting tourists to watch artisans perform and learn about the value of the craft heritage. Thereby, connecting traditional production households with tourism businesses and the community, promoting and enhancing local products.

Previously, Hoi An City also supported the launch of a product line made from Cu Lao Cham red corn with three main groups: Cuisine - Handicrafts and souvenirs - Cosmetics, contributing to diversifying tourism products associated with the island's identity.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/chuyen-giu-nghe-giu-dao-cua-nguoi-cu-lao-cham-177707.html