Unique weaving craft of Thu Lao people in Simacai

The traditional craft "Weaving of Thu Lao people, Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province" has just been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism .

Weaving is a long-standing traditional craft of the Thu Lao people in Simacai. This craft has been passed down through many generations, with many stages requiring patience, meticulousness and creativity of each person.

unique art of the laborer in the temple picture 1 — The weaving profession of the Thu Lao people is closely associated with the daily life of the people, demonstrating the position and role of women. Photo: Thuy Ha

The time when Thu Lao women weave is also the most leisurely time of the year - usually starting from October and November - because this is the end of the rice, corn, and cardamom harvest.

Thu Lao people plant cotton in February, when the cotton is ripe in August, they harvest the fruit, dry it, use a rolling tool to separate the cotton seeds, dry the seeds to plant next year.

After the cotton seeds are removed, Thu Lao women use cotton-pulling tools to fluff the cotton, then wrap it on sticks and roll it on the table to form long cotton stalks.

According to traditional customs, the spinning day is a good day for the family and must be a sunny day. Thu Lao people avoid choosing a rainy day so that the spinning can be done quickly and the thread can be attached to the frame smoothly and conveniently.

unique art of the laborer in the temple picture 2 — The weaving profession of the Thu Lao people includes many stages that require patience, meticulousness and creativity. Photo: Thuy Ha

From the yarn tubes continue to the stage of connecting the yarn into long threads using a hand tool... Through many stages, the cotton yarn will be spun into bobbins to be put into the shuttle to weave the fabric.

According to Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, the Thu Lao people in Simacai district have a population of more than 1,000 people, concentrated in Thao Chu Phin commune, Nan San commune, and Ban Me commune.

The Thu Lao people's costumes are mainly indigo black, but are embellished with motifs and patterns at the ends of the scarf, the floral fabric flaps at the inner waistband of the skirt, the fabric flaps at the ends of the sleeves, and the belt...

Thu Lao women, around 20 years old, begin learning weaving and embroidery from their mothers, grandmothers, and sisters. Currently, the number of artisans in the Thu Lao community who know how to weave is about 70.

unique art of the laborer in the temple picture 3 — Currently, the number of artisans who know how to weave in the Thu Lao community is about 70 people. Photo: Thuy Ha

The weaving profession of the Thu Lao people in Simacai is closely associated with the daily life of the people, demonstrating the position and role of women. The recognition of the weaving profession of the Thu Lao people as a national intangible cultural heritage will contribute to the preservation, maintenance and promotion of this unique cultural value.

T.Toan

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