Preserving traditional crafts

The traditional brocade weaving of the Muong people is a unique and distinctive cultural feature, occupying an important place in the traditional life and culture of the Muong people. With the efforts of the government and the community, the preservation, protection, and promotion of the heritage value of this traditional weaving craft have led to its recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The skillful hands of the Muong women in Kim Thuong commune have contributed to the preservation and development of the traditional brocade weaving craft in the locality.

Traditional brocade products are indispensable during important ceremonies, funerals, and weddings, serving as a measure of wealth, prosperity, and well-being for families in the Muong people's beliefs. Intricately woven brocade fabrics, dresses, skirts, and blankets, with their vibrant patterns and colors, are always a measure of a Muong woman's worth. The brocade weaving craft, with its distinctive products, has contributed to creating a unique and strong ethnic cultural identity through clothing, especially the clothing of Muong women. Therefore, brocade weaving is not simply about creating beautiful fabrics for daily life and activities, but also embodies the soul of the Muong people.

Over time, the traditional brocade weaving craft has gradually declined, with very few people in the villages still knowing how to spin cotton and weave fabric. To revive and promote this traditional craft, the Tan Son District People's Committee, in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, organized a training course on brocade weaving of the Muong people in Kim Thuong and Xuan Dai communes, taught directly by Muong artisans. The district also collaborated with the Provincial Vocational Training Center to open brocade weaving training classes, including one implemented by the Spanish International Cooperation Agency through a pilot program for ethnic minorities in Phu Tho province, for young people and women from Xuan Dai and Kim Thuong communes.

Currently, the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Muong people in Tan Son district is still maintained and developed. The products are mainly used as clothing for local people and as dowry for daughters before marriage. Traditional brocade fabrics have become a distinctive product, mainly sold locally or consigned to shops, hotels, and tourist destinations both within and outside the district. To date, the products have attracted the attention and affection of tourists because they are made from simple raw materials and undergo a completely manual dyeing and weaving process by the skillful hands of the Muong people.

Of the two communes that still maintain the brocade weaving craft, Kim Thuong commune currently has over 50 households still weaving brocade, with over 50 artisans aged 50-70 who possess the secrets and practical skills and can teach the craft to the community. Xuan Dai commune currently has 1 hectare of cotton cultivation for weaving, with approximately 173 households still weaving brocade and a brocade weaving club in Vuong area with 26 members. In 2008, the brocade weaving village of Lang Chieng was recognized as a traditional craft village by the Provincial People's Committee, opening up many job opportunities and developing community tourism for the local people. Brocade products from Lang Chieng village have been showcased at fairs and exhibitions inside and outside the province. The artisans, including Dinh Thi Binh, Sa Thi Khoan, Sa Thi Sua, and Sa Thi Thoan, are selected from weaving competitions held during the annual festival and are responsible for maintaining and teaching traditional brocade weaving to women in the commune.

Artisan Sa Thi Tam shared: "I and the people of Muong land are very happy and proud that our traditional brocade weaving craft has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Although there are still many difficulties, we will try to preserve and promote the value of traditional culture, and pass it on to our children and grandchildren to continue to maintain this traditional craft."

Hopefully, with its recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the traditional brocade weaving craft of Xuan Dai commune, Kim Thuong district, will be passed on to many young people so that brocade weaving will forever remain the soul and unique cultural identity of the Muong people of Tan Son.

Phuong Thanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/giu-nghe-truyen-thong-223256.htm