Dinh Thi Ren - The "keeper of the soul" of Bahnar brocade in Cam village.

(GLO) - In Cam village (Tay Son commune, Gia Lai province), Ms. Dinh Thi Ren is always dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Bahnar people.

Cam Village currently has 52 households with 186 inhabitants, 100% of whom are Bahnar people. In the lives of the villagers, weaving brocade not only meets daily needs but also serves as a cultural symbol associated with long-standing traditions, preserving the soul of the community.

Preserving the profession through passion and responsibility.

Born into a family with generations involved in brocade weaving, Ms. Ren was taught each step of the process by her mother and grandmother – from selecting the yarn and dyeing with natural materials to creating patterns. Each step requires meticulousness, skill, and perseverance. For her, brocade weaving is not simply labor, but also a way to preserve the cultural memory of her people.

Ms. Dinh Thi Ren persistently preserves and promotes the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Bahnar people.

"Weaving brocade is not just about creating products, but also about preserving the culture of our people. If we don't do it, our descendants will no longer know about this craft," she shared.

Faced with competition from mass-produced garments, the weaving craft in Cam village once faced decline. However, driven by her love for the craft, she persevered with her loom and encouraged other women in the village to preserve the traditional craft.

Highlights from the 2025 Cultural and Sports Festival

In 2025, Ms. Dinh Thi Ren and other artisans from Cam village participated in the expanded Vinh An Commune Cultural and Sports Festival. This was an opportunity to honor and spread the cultural values ​​of the Bahnar people. In the brocade weaving competition, the teams presented unique and distinctive products.

With their skill and experience, Ms. Ren and the artisans of Cam village won first prize overall, leaving a deep impression.

Mr. Dinh Ban, Secretary of the Cam Village Party Branch, said: "The achievements are the result of the solidarity and efforts of the artisans, in which Ms. Ren is a highly skilled craftswoman who always enthusiastically participates in cultural activities and is a source of pride for the locality."

Participating in the competition, artisan Dinh Man shared: "Weaving brocade is a long-standing traditional craft of the Bahnar people; each pattern carries its own meaning, reflecting the life and soul of the ethnic group. It is the meticulousness through many stages that creates the unique value of Bahnar brocade."

Passing on skills and adapting to the market.

Besides preserving the craft, Ms. Ren actively teaches it to the younger generation in the village. Regular weaving instruction sessions are held, helping the children gradually learn and develop a love for the craft.

According to her, weaving beautiful fabrics requires patience and attention to detail, while also preserving traditional patterns and being flexible and creative to suit modern tastes. From traditional fabrics, she and other artisans have developed many additional products such as handbags, scarves, and souvenirs, contributing to increasing their value and expanding their market reach.

The Tay Son commune government is also implementing various solutions to preserve the weaving craft, such as supporting the maintenance of the craft village, organizing training classes, creating opportunities to participate in competitions, and promoting products. At the provincial level, Gia Lai also has many policies to promote the preservation of ethnic minority culture, linked with tourism development and OCOP products.

Preserving traditional crafts – preserving the soul of the nation.

Amidst the changes of life, the image of Ms. Dinh Thi Ren diligently working at her loom is a symbol of perseverance and love for culture. Each thread, each pattern is not only a product of labor but also the embodiment of tradition, pride, and community memory.

Thanks to the dedication of people like her, along with the support of the local government, the Bahnar brocade weaving craft in Cam village is gradually being restored and developed. Beyond preservation, the craft is opening up new avenues for economic development, linked to community tourism, contributing to improving the lives of the local people.

Preserving the craft today means preserving the identity for the future. And in Cam village, the Bahnar brocade weaving craft is still being cherished and spread through the hands and dedication of the people here.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/dinh-thi-ren-nguoi-giu-hon-tho-cam-bahnar-o-lang-cam-post586029.html