Preserving the traditional Xê Đăng brocade weaving craft.

For over two months, the community center of Kon Tay hamlet (Ea Yiêng commune, Krông Pắc district) has been bustling with the laughter and chatter of women participating in a basic brocade weaving course. Overcoming initial hesitation, with the skillful hands of the women, brocade fabrics with basic patterns have taken shape on the looms…

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ea Yieng commune, while part of the general flow of traditional culture of the ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, Xe Dang brocade has its own unique characteristics and beauty in terms of color and patterns.

Therefore, in recent years, the Xê Đăng brocade made by artisans in Ea Yiêng commune has not only served the local people but has also been connected with and introduced to tourists , becoming unique handicraft products and special gifts for those who love the culture of the Central Highlands.

Women members of Ea Yiêng commune participate in a basic vocational training course in brocade weaving.

In early 2025, the People's Committee of the commune, in coordination with the Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center of Krong Pac district, established a cooperative for the traditional brocade weaving of the Xe Dang people and launched a basic brocade weaving training course. Through the mobilization and promotion efforts of the People's Committee of the commune and the Women's Union, 30 members participated in the basic training course with the desire to preserve and develop the traditional brocade weaving craft of their ancestors, as well as to have additional work and income during the off-season.

As the oldest student in the basic vocational training class, Mrs. Thia (from Kon Tay village) carefully watched each thread to create patterns according to the teacher's instructions. Mrs. Thia confided that her generation, when they were young, were very familiar with the image of grandmothers and mothers diligently working at the loom. The brocade fabric not only showcased the skill of the women but also conveyed the affection of grandmothers and mothers for their husbands, children, and family members. However, there was a period when traditional brocade costumes of the Xe Dang people were rarely used, and the brocade weaving craft consequently declined considerably.

Previously, due to her busy work schedule, Mrs. Thía hadn't had the opportunity to learn the art of brocade weaving. Therefore, when the Kon Tay Women's Association encouraged her to participate in the brocade weaving class, she was very happy. In the beginning, she was quite clumsy and unfamiliar with the loom. Sometimes, she made mistakes and had to untangle the threads and start over. Gradually, she became familiar with the tools and her movements became faster. To date, she has almost finished weaving two brocade pieces as part of the course. She will sew these into traditional blouses and skirts for herself to wear during village festivals or church services. She will also try to learn more techniques, weave many beautiful brocade pieces for her relatives, and pass on her skills to her daughters and granddaughters.

Ms. H'Yum Byă, a teacher of the basic vocational training class (sitting on the left), instructs a student on how to create patterns on a loom.

Ms. H'Yum Byă, a teacher at the basic brocade weaving vocational class in Ea Yiêng commune, shared that the course content is mostly hands-on, aiming to help students master techniques from threading and weaving the base fabric to basic patterns such as gourd seeds, rhombuses, X shapes, and stars. After completing the course, the women can join the brocade weaving cooperative and learn more about traditional ethnic weaving techniques or create and develop new patterns from the basic techniques. These women are also key to preserving and passing on the brocade weaving craft to each village, safeguarding the traditional beauty of the ethnic communities in the Central Highlands.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202506/gin-giu-nghe-det-tho-cam-xe-dang-2d114ed/