Five-generation Cham family 'keeps the fire' of traditional craft

Ms. Saphia - owner of a traditional Cham brocade weaving facility in Chau Phong commune, An Giang province - is the 4th generation to "keep the fire" of the traditional craft, and continues to teach it to the next generation.

The Cham ethnic minority people in Chau Phong commune ( An Giang province) live concentrated in three hamlets: Phum Soai, Chau Giang, and Hoa Long, with over 5,000 inhabitants, all of whom follow Islam.

This place is not only famous for the Mubarak Mosque - a national architectural and artistic monument - but also for its long-standing traditional brocade weaving, which plays an important role in preserving the unique cultural beauty of the locality.

The family of Ms. Saphia (47 years old, residing in Phum Soai hamlet) is a typical household that "keeps the flame alive" of the traditional craft of the Cham people in An Giang.

Ms. Saphia introduces a traditional Cham wedding dress. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Born and raised in a family of six siblings, Saphia is the only one to continue the family tradition. At the age of seven, Saphia was taught by her grandmother how to spin yarn, dye fabric, and weave patterns.

"To create a beautiful brocade fabric, many different steps are involved, such as soaking the yarn, bleaching, creating patterns, dyeing, rinsing, drying, straightening, threading, winding, and weaving," shared Ms. Saphia.

The unique feature of the traditional Cham silk dyeing technique is the use of vibrant colors derived from nature, such as tree sap (klek), tree bark (pahud), and the fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree. Therefore, the silk fabrics do not fade with prolonged use and may even become shinier.

Ms. Saphia is the fourth generation to maintain the Cham brocade weaving craft in Chau Phong. Photo: Tran Tuyen

According to Ms. Saphia, the brocade products of the Cham people in Chau Phong still retain characteristic traditional patterns such as hammock-like shapes, shuttles, fans, sawteeth, flowers and leaves…. These patterns carry meanings related to nature and daily life scenes.

The intricate patterns on the fabric are a testament to the rich imagination and skillful hands of Cham women. Each finished brocade piece is the culmination of patience, perseverance, and pride in their ethnic cultural identity.

The sarong – an indispensable garment for Cham men. Photo: Tran Tuyen.

The two traditional products here are sarongs and checkered scarves, priced from 60,000 to 200,000 VND. In addition, her workshop also produces handbags, backpacks, hats, wedding dresses, etc. These are popular items among tourists, especially foreign visitors, who buy them as souvenirs during their visits to the craft village.

"Weaving brocade is not just a means of livelihood, but also an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the community," confided a Cham woman who has been involved in the craft for nearly 40 years.

Not content with just preserving the craft, Saphia also passed it on to the fifth generation – her granddaughter Shakina – when the latter was only 12 years old. Now, at 17, with her skillful hands, this young woman has created many exquisite brocade products for daily use.

Shakina continues the family's traditional craft. Photo: Tran Tuyen

The traditional brocade weaving craft of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2023. This recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of the traditional cultural values ​​of the Cham people.

Recently, Chau Phong Cham village established a community tourism cooperative with 12 members. The cooperative's mission is to connect households in building and developing community tourism products in the area, which is expected to contribute to the preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values ​​of the Cham people, while also bringing sustainable economic benefits.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/gia-dinh-nguoi-cham-5-the-he-giu-lua-nghe-truyen-thong-2437557.html