Preserving the craft of weaving sedge grass in An Giang

For generations, the Khmer people in Giang Thanh commune, An Giang province, have been closely associated with the craft of weaving sedge grass. This craft not only preserves traditional culture but also provides a stable livelihood for the people and is linked to the conservation of the sedge grass ecosystem, a habitat for the rare red-crowned crane during the flood season.

A workshop that produces incredibly beautiful handcrafted products from sedge grass. Photo: Contributor.

The craft of weaving sedge grass in Giang Thanh commune has existed for hundreds of years, closely linked to the lives of the Khmer people in the border region. From the acidic soil fields, the naturally growing wild grass is harvested, dried, and crushed by the people to create household products such as baskets and mats. Gradually, the craft has not only become a traditional cultural feature but also a sustainable livelihood for many generations.

However, uncontrolled exploitation, coupled with the encroachment of Mimosa pudica, has led to a shrinking of the area of ​​sedge grass, habitat changes, and the gradual disappearance of the red-crowned crane, a rare bird listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world . Faced with this situation, in 2016, the former Kien Giang province decided to establish the Phu My Species and Habitat Conservation Area, covering over 2,700 hectares, including a core zone of over 1,000 hectares, to preserve the only remaining sedge grass ecosystem in the Mekong Delta and ensure a stable livelihood for the local people.

The conservation area's goal is not only to protect biodiversity and maintain a population of over 100 red-crowned cranes returning to the area each year, but also to develop traditional crafts linked to sustainable livelihoods. Exploitation activities are strictly managed, combined with scientific research, community education , ecotourism development, and the promotion of handicrafts made from sedge grass.

In Phu My, almost every Khmer woman knows how to weave. For example, Ms. Tran Thi Xem (Kinh Moi hamlet) has been involved in the craft for over 20 years, since she was just over 10 years old. Every day, she wakes up at 3 a.m. to go to the fields to pull sedge grass until 9 or 10 a.m., then returns home to continue the drying, pressing, dyeing, and weaving process. The work is light but requires skill, so it's usually reserved for women and children in the family. "Pulling the grass must be done correctly; otherwise, you'll break the roots, crush the stems, and the grass fibers won't be uniform," Ms. Xem shared.

According to Mr. Ly Hoang Bao, in charge of handicrafts at the Phu My Species and Habitat Conservation Area, in the past, local people mainly wove mats and baskets for daily use. But now, thanks to training and design support, the products have become more diverse, ranging from fashionable handbags, household items, interior decorations to environmentally friendly packaging. As a result, the sedge weaving craft not only preserves the Khmer cultural soul but also keeps up with market demands.

Currently, about 200 workers (90% Khmer women) are making a living from this craft. Each person earns a stable income of about 3 million VND/month, a relatively good amount for people in the border region. The products of the craft village are purchased by a company, with an output of about 200,000 products per year. The main markets are Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta, and exports to Europe, Japan, China, etc.

Mrs. Thi Thia's family is a living testament to the enduring nature of the craft. At over 70 years old, her hands still nimbly weave. She recounts that the craft was passed down from her mother, then to her daughter, and now to her two granddaughters. "They're all so skillful; they knew how to weave when they were only 5 years old," Mrs. Thia said with a gentle smile. Notably, in 2018, the Phu My sedge weaving village was recognized as a traditional craft village of the former Kien Giang province. Along with that, the establishment of the Women's Sedge Weaving Cooperative has expanded production and consumption opportunities.
From producing only simple everyday items, the craft of weaving sedge grass in Phu My has now expanded, contributing to poverty reduction, preserving Khmer cultural identity, and simultaneously conserving the unique ecosystem where red-crowned cranes still return every flood season.

NGUYEN TRINH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/giu-nghe-dan-co-bang-o-an-giang-a190554.html