Preserving the craft of making paper flowers for temple offerings - A beautiful aspect of the Kathina season.

When the Kathina robe offering ceremony – one of the major festivals of Khmer Theravada Buddhism – arrives, households engaged in the craft of making cellophane paper flowers in the communes of Thuan Hoa, An Ninh, Phu Tam, etc., in Can Tho City become busy with the season. This traditional craft, which has existed for over half a century, not only contributes to the vibrant atmosphere of the festival but also preserves a unique cultural beauty of the Khmer people in this region.

Many households growing bougainvillea are busy entering the planting season.

Keeping the flame alive for traditional crafts.

Along the road to Prés Buôl Prés Phék pagoda in Thuận Hòa commune, the sight of Khmer women diligently working with stacks of colorful cellophane paper has become familiar every October and November. They meticulously cut and paste each petal and leaf of the Bodhi tree, assembling them into vibrant bouquets of yellow, red, purple, and pink… These cellophane flowers are purchased by Buddhist devotees to offer to the pagoda during the Kathina festival, symbolizing their reverence and gratitude to the Buddha and the monks after the three-month rainy season retreat.

Ms. Thach Thi Sien, from Phuoc Hoa hamlet (Thuan Hoa commune), shared: “When I was little, every time the Kathina flower offering season came around at the temple, my mother would go and pick wildflowers, then cut colored paper into small pieces, fold, roll, and glue them to create flower petals for me to offer at the temple with the villagers. From then on, the craft of making paper flowers spread from the hamlet to several other hamlets, and the decorative materials became increasingly modern.”

The craft of making paper flowers from cellophane here has existed for over half a century. Initially, people made them themselves to decorate temples during major festivals, and it gradually developed into a traditional craft. Despite many changes, the people still maintain the meticulous, handcrafted methods, deeply rooted in folk traditions, instead of using modern industrial materials.

Ms. Ly Thi Sa Monh, residing in Phuoc Thuan hamlet (Thuan Hoa commune), who has been involved in this craft for nearly 40 years, shared: “Every Kathina season, my family can't keep up with the orders from various localities. Although it's hard work, it's enjoyable because it provides extra income for the family. The whole family works from morning till night, everyone trying their best to deliver the products to customers on time. The peak season is in October and November (before the Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo boat race).”

According to Ms. Sa Monh, making paper flower trees doesn't require a large capital investment; it mainly demands dexterity and patience. A skilled worker can complete a 60cm tall tree in a day, while larger ones, up to 1.6m tall, usually require two people working together. The selling price ranges from 160,000 VND to 1.5 million VND per pair, depending on the design and complexity.

Thach Thi Lin Da, a Khmer girl from Phuoc Thuan hamlet (Thuan Hoa commune), expressed: “I learned this trade from my mother since I was little. The income from this work isn't high, but I'm happy because I get to contribute to beautifying the temple and the festivals of my Khmer people.”

Preserving the beauty of Khmer culture.

In the spiritual life of the Khmer people, bougainvillea plants offered to temples are not only decorative but also symbolize reverence and wishes for peace. Each bougainvillea plant offered to the temple represents gratitude to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), and a prayer for blessings and favorable weather.

Currently, besides Thuan Hoa commune, this craft is also maintained in An Ninh commune, Phu Tam commune, etc., with about 5-6 households still involved in the craft in each place. Venerable Thach Bonl, Abbot of Prés Buone Prés Phék Pagoda, said: “The glass bougainvillea is a unique feature of the Khmer people. During the Kathina ceremony, in addition to fresh flowers, the glass bougainvillea made by the people and Buddhist followers themselves add color and warmth to the space. The pagoda always encourages people to preserve the craft, as it is a way to preserve the national cultural identity.”

This year's Kathina season has arrived, and the vibrant yellow, red, and green hues of the bougainvillea flowers once again adorn the Khmer Theravada temples. Each flower, each meticulously cut and arranged by hand, is a testament to the love of the craft, reverence for Buddha, and the enduring vitality of a traditional craft that has been preserved for over half a century.

Text and photos: THACH PICH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/giu-nghe-lam-hoa-giay-dang-chua-net-dep-mua-kathina-a193123.html