Preserving the traditional brocade weaving craft.

Deeply attached to the traditional weaving craft of the Cham people, since 2000, Mr. Mohamad in Chau Phong Cham village and his wife, Mrs. Zaymah, have been determined to revive this century-old brocade weaving craft.

Mr. Mohamad passes on the art of brocade weaving to the younger generation. Photo: NGUYEN KHAI HUNG

As a third-generation craftsman, Mr. Mohamad, a skilled and dedicated artisan, along with his wife, established a weaving facility, guiding and teaching the Cham people, connecting with community tourism , and finding markets for their products. This has helped maintain and develop the Cham brocade weaving craft, creating jobs for local people.

Ms. Zaymah said that she learned the craft of weaving brocade from her family when she was 15 years old. To date, she has spent 50 years working with each thread and loom, mastering all the steps in making brocade: from selecting the yarn, dyeing, drying, to winding the yarn onto the spool, attaching the warp threads appropriately, and placing it on the loom to shape the product.

Mr. Mohamad comes from a family with a long tradition of weaving, so he mastered the principles of the craft from a young age. Combined with his teaching skills, he systematically organized the weaving techniques to teach and guide villagers who wished to follow the trade, enabling them to weave a variety of products, from scarves and sarongs to exquisite brocade fabrics.

Rophiah, a young woman from Chau Phong commune, said: “My grandmother taught me traditional weaving, but I wasn't proficient. When I came to Mr. Mohamad's workshop, I received further guidance to become more skilled. I hope to be able to create more beautiful and complex products.” Meanwhile, Sarydah, an artisan with over 10 years of weaving experience, said that she currently produces 10-15 meters of fabric per day, earning 15,000 VND per meter. She is very happy to work near her home and frequently interact with tourists from all over.

Currently, Mohamad's weaving facility has over 10 looms, employing approximately 20 workers in various stages of the process, from easy to difficult. Workers earn over 150,000 VND per day, a reasonable income for rural residents. However, preserving and developing traditional weaving to suit modern trends requires more than simply sitting and weaving while waiting to sell the finished product. Mr. Mohamad has found a new direction for the craft by connecting with tourism and travel companies to introduce the products through tours exploring the culture, mosques, and ancient houses in Chau Phong Cham village.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hop, Vice Chairman of the Chau Phong Commune People's Committee, Mr. Mohamad is a model son of the Cham village, not only dedicated to his craft but also striving to pass on his skills to many younger generations, creating jobs for people to earn more income and become more attached to the traditional craft. He also innovates and improves designs, helping Cham products reach a wider market.

Thanks to the efforts of the local community and the support of the local government, the traditional weaving craft of the Cham people in An Giang has been preserved and is developing in new directions. In 2023, the brocade weaving craft of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune was inscribed on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Immediately afterwards, the Chau Phong Cham Village Community Tourism Cooperative was established with 12 members, led by Mr. Mohamad. Mr. Mohamad shared: “What makes Chau Phong brocade unique is the sophistication in each stage of the process. Without the assistance of machinery, all operations are performed manually by skilled hands passed down through many generations.” He added that the cooperative will continue to connect households to build and develop community tourism products in the locality, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values ​​of the Cham people, and bringing more stable income to the people.

During their visit to the Mohamad weaving facility and their community tourism experience in Chau Phong Cham village, Pham The Nam and his group of young friends from Ho Chi Minh City expressed: “We found it very interesting to learn about the culture, customs, and traditions, and to enjoy famous dishes such as grilled beef cakes, tung lo mo (beef sausage), and beef curry of the Cham people.” Maureen Anglin, an American tourist, shared that she was very impressed with the handcrafted textiles made by the women there, which were very elaborate and beautiful.

Beside the serene Cham temples, the rhythmic sound of looms and shuttles resonates. The Cham brocade weavers of Chau Phong commune continue to create exquisite products that captivate the hearts of travelers.

NGUYEN KHAI HUNG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-nghe-det-tho-cam-a480072.html