According to the brief history of Vinh Hoa Hiep communal house, from 1861-1868, Nguyen Trung Truc led the uprising movement and achieved many resounding victories.
During these years, the French pursued Nguyen's army fiercely, and anyone involved was killed or exiled to Con Dao.
Despite the enemy's pursuit and massacre, in 1867, the people of Ta Nien were willing to take care of and contribute money and rice to feed the insurgents. After more than a year of stationing in Vinh Hoa Hiep, the relationship between the army and the people was very close.
In 1868, in a decisive battle on Phu Quoc Island, Nguyen Trung Truc fell into the hands of the enemy. They threatened and tortured him but to no avail, so the enemy beheaded him in Rach Gia to demonstrate their power.
Mrs. Le Thi Sa still keeps many mat making tools.
Hearing the news of Nguyen Trung Truc's execution, the people of Ta Nien and all the provinces of the South were moved.
To see off the national hero, the people of Ta Nien, Rach Gia, Phu Quoc, and Hon Chong went to the Governor's Palace to demand that the people hold a ceremony to honor Mr. Nguyen at the execution ground. Faced with the people's fervent spirit, the French were forced to give in and agree.
At that time, the people of Ta Nien carried hundreds of local cotton mats to spread on the road for him to go to the execution ground. To prepare for that tragic moment, the people of Ta Nien worked day and night to weave mats, which were heavy with affection and soaked with the sweat and tears of many people of Ta Nien.
The story of “Ta Nien goes through the motions and is heroic” has been recorded in history since then. The cotton mat has become a sacred item, the pride of the Ta Nien people.
Although the mat weaving profession has declined and many people no longer weave mats for a living like before, families in Ta Nien still keep cotton mats as souvenirs. Some families keep mat weaving tools as treasures.
Cleaning the weaving frame and loom, Ms. Le Thi Sa, residing in Vinh Thanh A hamlet, Vinh Hoa Hiep commune, said: "Weaving mats is hard work and the income is unstable, but I have never thought of quitting the job because the sound of the weaving frame has been with me all my life."
Pausing for a few seconds, Mrs. Sa continued: "Sometimes I split bamboo, stretch the belt, and weave mats by hand, partly for customers and partly to commemorate my grandparents, parents, and National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc. I am happy that my daughter and daughter-in-law are learning the craft, continuing the traditional craft of their homeland."
155 years have passed, Ta Nien - a village located on the right bank of Cai Be River - still holds a steadfast respect for national hero Nguyen Trung Truc.
Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh - Deputy of the Vinh Hoa Hiep Communal Historical Relic Protection Board said that according to historical documents, after Nguyen Trung Truc was beheaded by the French, although the enemy declared that anyone related to the insurgents would be executed, the people of Ta Nien still secretly worshiped Nguyen at Vinh Hoa Hiep Communal House and his worship has been maintained to this day.
"Every year on the 27th and 28th of the 8th lunar month, Vinh Hoa Hiep communal house organizes many activities and folk games; Ta Nien people contribute money and labor to cook 2,000 free vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals for visitors to burn incense and pay respect to Mr. Nguyen to remember and show gratitude to Mr. Nguyen," Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh added.
Article and photos: BAO TRAN
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