Keeping the flame of conical hat weaving in Thanh Dong commune

For nearly 70 years, the traditional craft of making conical hats in Thanh Dong commune (An Giang province) has not only been a livelihood, but also a cultural symbol. Despite its prosperous period, the craft is now gradually fading away due to difficulties in output. However, the craftsmen here still persistently preserve the craft as a way to preserve the soul of the homeland and tradition.

Mrs. Pham Thi Thang preserves the traditional craft of making conical hats.

The conical hat weaving craft in Kenh 8B hamlet, Thanh Dong commune, formerly Thanh Dong A commune, Tan Hiep district, old Kien Giang province, was recognized as a traditional craft by the People's Committee of Kien Giang province in 2019.

In mid-July, we returned to Kenh 8B hamlet and met with people who were attached to the profession. In the conversation with the elders and women, their love for the profession and the national culture clearly emerged. The elders said that in 1954, people from Pham Phao village ( Nam Dinh province) migrated here, bringing with them the hat-making profession. By 1957, the profession was officially established in Kenh 8B hamlet.

The hat has 16 brims, from large to small, cleverly arranged to form a pyramid shape.

The period from 1958 to 1980 was the golden age of the hat-making profession. The whole hamlet had over 200 households and about 500 workers who were engaged in the profession, unable to keep up with orders. The hat-making profession once helped people earn a good income, even saving up gold.

However, over time, the craft has gradually faded away. The conical hat-making cooperative used to have 25 people, but now only has 10 people, of which only 2-3 households work regularly. People mainly take advantage of their free time to make conical hats to earn extra income.

The craftsman meticulously selects the leaves, dries them, irons them flat, then sews each one together and arranges them evenly on the cone mold.

The worker sewed the leaf meticulously with each stitch.

Mrs. Pham Thi Thang (74 years old), Head of the Conical Hat Making Cooperative, and her husband, Mr. Pham Van Thu (76 years old), still work regularly. Mrs. Thang shared: “Every day, my husband and I can make 2 beautiful hats. If the hats were sparse, we could make more. Now that there are fewer orders, I have to make less, but if there are many orders, I can still make them on time.”

Since she was 7 or 8 years old, Ms. Thang has helped her mother prepare leaves, and learned to weave conical hats since she was just over 10 years old. For her, the profession is not only a way of life but also a family tradition, a cultural tradition that needs to be preserved. She is willing to pass on the profession to her children, grandchildren, and neighbors so that the profession will not be lost.

Conical hats are ready to supply to customers.

The conical hats in Kenh 8B hamlet are made entirely by hand in the traditional way. The craftsman meticulously selects the leaves, dries them, irons them flat, then sews them together and arranges them evenly on the cone. The hats have 16 brims, from large to small, skillfully arranged to form a cone. Finally, the hats are coated with varnish to increase durability and aesthetics.

Each hat costs from 50,000 to 100,000 VND depending on the type. However, the output is currently very difficult, the job requires patience, meticulousness, and dexterity. Therefore, many young people choose to work for companies or factories to have a more stable income. Mrs. Thang worries: "I have passed on the profession to my grandson, but he is studying pedagogy. I am afraid that if my generation is gone, no one will pursue the profession anymore."

Faced with this situation, Vice Chairman of Thanh Dong Commune People's Committee Nguyen Quoc Viet said that the local government is calculating solutions to support workers. In particular, priority is given to creating conditions for loans, finding product outlets, and supporting vocational training to preserve traditional occupations.

Mr. Viet emphasized: “Preserving and developing traditional crafts not only solves the problem of employment for family workers but also creates more jobs for local people, because currently due to lack of jobs in the locality, people have to go to work far from home. Preserving traditional crafts also contributes to preserving and maintaining local cultural values.”

Article and photos: THU OANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-lua-nghe-cham-non-la-o-xa-thanh-dong-a425104.html