"Keeping the flame alive" for traditional crafts.

The beauty of national culture

In his simple little house in Ba Ven hamlet, Loc Khanh commune, Mr. Lam Ty still diligently weaves bamboo baskets and woven containers with all his patience, meticulousness, and pride in his traditional craft. For him, each product he creates is not simply a means of livelihood but also a way to preserve the traditional craft of his ethnic group. Mr. Lam Ty shared: "Making a basket looks simple, but it takes 3-4 days to complete. It's very hard work, but I feel happy with each product I make." Products from the Khmer people's weaving craft are useful household items and, above all, cultural symbols imbued with the soul of the nation.

Mr. and Mrs. Lam Ty diligently weave each bamboo basket.

Without any advertising or fancy stalls, the woven products of Mr. Lam Ty, like those of the people in Ba Ven hamlet, reach buyers in a very simple and rustic way. “I don’t take them to the market or transport them far away. Every time I finish a product, I hang it in front of my house. Anyone passing by who sees it and thinks it’s beautiful stops to ask to buy it. Some people like it so much they buy several to hang up or give as gifts. I don’t do this for profit, but to preserve the craft. I think the Khmer people have many beautiful cultural aspects, from their clothing and dances to their weaving… If we don’t preserve them, our descendants won’t know about the beauty of our ethnic culture. That’s why I keep doing this, preserving the craft as if it were a part of my people’s ‘flesh and blood’,” Mr. Lam Ty expressed.

Not only Mr. Lam Ty's family, but also Mr. Lam Bup's family in Ba Ven hamlet has been practicing the craft of basket weaving for over 20 years. Mr. Lam Bup recounted: "I learned the craft from my parents. Back then, I would herd buffalo in the fields, sitting under a tree, watching the buffalo while weaving baskets and woven containers. This weaving craft doesn't make you rich, but it helps you make ends meet, and most importantly, it's connected to my childhood, my parents, and my family. Now that I'm older, I tend to my vegetable garden every day and then take the time to weave a few baskets to sell to people in the hamlet. I only hope that my children and grandchildren in the neighborhood will learn from me and appreciate the traditional craft of our people."

Products from the Khmer weaving craft are always closely associated with the Khmer way of life, reflecting their work ethic, distinctive cultural characteristics, and family values, where the craft is passed down from father to son, from one generation to the next.

In Loc Dien commune, Loc Ninh district, Mr. Lam Khen has been involved in the weaving craft for 15 years.

In Loc Dien commune, Mr. Lam Khen has been practicing the craft of weaving for 15 years. Mr. Lam Khen shared: "In the past, my parents were very skilled weavers. I watched and learned from them. Even now, I still remember my mother teaching me how to separate the threads and how to weave each pattern evenly, securely, and beautifully. For me, this is not just a way to earn a living, but also a way to connect with my grandparents, my ancestors, and my roots. I teach it to my children and grandchildren, even though they may not follow the craft, but I want them to know about the traditional craft of our people. Preserving the craft is preserving our national cultural identity."

Maintaining the traditional craft in modern life.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the traditional Khmer weaving craft, once a source of pride for generations, is facing the risk of disappearing. “When I was a child, everyone in this hamlet knew how to weave. It was like breathing, a matter of course in every Khmer family. During the off-season, everyone would weave baskets and trays for home use or to sell at the market. The whole village would sit together weaving, chatting and having a great time… But nowadays, very few young people learn this craft. They go to work in factories, leave home to find other jobs, and hardly anyone is willing to sit for hours meticulously working with bamboo and rattan fibers like before,” Mr. Lam Day, head of Ba Ven hamlet, shared thoughtfully.

For our compatriots For the Khmer people , woven products are not only everyday household items but also represent a beautiful aspect of their national culture.

Preserving and promoting the traditional Khmer weaving craft requires more than just individual efforts. It needs connection from policy-making to the community, from experienced generations to eager young learners. Because weaving is not just a craft, it is also a crucial element in the cultural identity of the Khmer people. Ms. Ho Thi Quoc Loan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Loc Dien commune, affirmed: The weaving craft of the Khmer people is not just a simple means of livelihood, but also a part of the long-standing cultural values of the ethnic group. Along with folk dances, traditional costumes, language, etc., the weaving craft is living proof of the Khmer ethnic identity here. The local government always encourages and creates conditions for people to maintain and develop the traditional craft. Not only because of its cultural significance, but also because weaving can bring income and improve the lives of the people. The important thing is how to ensure the craft is continued and innovated in the new era.

Products from the weaving craft

Amidst all the changes, the Khmer people of Loc Ninh district quietly weave each product as if weaving together the soul of their ethnic group, imbuing it with faith and hope for a future where young hands will continue the tradition, preventing the craft from fading away. Preserving traditional crafts cannot rely solely on the memories or love of a few dedicated individuals. This requires a clear strategy where craftspeople are honored, products are disseminated, young people are inspired, and most importantly, the craft becomes a part of contemporary life, not just a nostalgic memory of the past.

Today, the craft of basket weaving, if left untaught, will only remain as a fragment of memory, silently fading with time. But if it is cherished and passed down with pride, from within each household to cultural policies geared towards the community, the craft of basket weaving will not perish. It will "continue to breathe, continue to live, continue to tell its story"... as it has for generations.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/543/171706/giu-lua-nghe-truyen-thong