Simplicity and affection from thatched roofs in Uncle Ho's homeland

Not simply layers of dried sugarcane leaves connected to each old bamboo stick, the thatched roof at the Kim Lien National Special Relic Site is also a place to preserve sacred memories, a mark of a difficult childhood of President Ho Chi Minh . As the years pass, the thatched roofs are still regularly replaced, as a way to preserve the rustic, simple beauty of his homeland.

Miracle from rustic materials

We visited the Kim Lien National Special Relic Site at the time when the workers were attentively “changing the coat” of the thatched roof of Uncle Ho’s hometown. For them, thatching is not only a meticulous task, but also a dedication and love for the great leader of the nation.

It is those diligent hands that have helped the thatched roofs of Uncle Ho's hometown continue to tell the story of a great life - a life nurtured by the simplest things.

Thatching is not a simple job. To have beautiful and durable thatches, the materials must go through a careful selection process. Sugarcane leaves are purchased from mountainous districts such as Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Nghia Dan, etc., then dried, and exposed to dew for many nights to achieve toughness and flexibility. Bamboo must also be old trees cut down in March, going through many stages of treatment to prevent termites, ensuring the durability of the thatched roof.

According to Mr. Tran Dinh Quang (Xuan Lam commune, Nam Dan district) - a person with many years of experience, painting is not only about connecting each layer of leaves together, but also careful calculation to ensure durability and aesthetics. The craftsman must be patient, meticulous, connecting each row of paintings evenly and straightly but not too tightly to avoid losing the necessary softness. It is an art, a secret that has been refined over many years.

“Of all the stages, painting is the most difficult, requiring skill and many years of experience. Painting can be done with 5 or 3 pieces, but painting with 5 pieces requires the craftsman to be more skillful and meticulous. The craftsman must paint each row of paintings so that they are straight, close together but not stuck together,” Mr. Quang shared.

To have beautiful and durable paintings, the materials must go through a careful selection process by experienced craftsmen. (Photo: Van Ty/VNA)

Mr. Nguyen Cong Ngoc (63 years old, Xuan Lam commune, Nam Dan district) said that due to the change in crop structure, raw materials are increasingly scarce. Sugarcane leaves must be purchased in mountainous districts, places that are less affected by chemicals, so workers have to travel far to find raw materials. The quality of the leaves is also not as good as before, forcing thatched roofs to be replaced once a year instead of two or three years as before.

This year, the 135th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday is also the year of the national festival, so the thatching work at the Kim Lien National Special Historical Relic Site was done earlier than in previous years. The weather is quite cool, so the thatching work is less difficult.

Warm feelings for you

Having been involved in the work of thatching and restoring thatched roofs in the Kim Lien National Special Relic Site since 2009, Mr. Tran Dinh Hue (67 years old, Xuan Lam commune, Nam Dan district) said that the work of thatching and roofing is not hard but requires the worker to be patient and meticulous.

“This job is not simply a way to make a living, but a source of pride. Therefore, everyone is careful and meticulous in every detail, because we understand that each thatched roof is not only a place to preserve memories but also a symbol of simplicity and rusticity. Being able to contribute to preserving the simplicity of the place where Uncle Ho once lived is a sacred thing," Mr. Hue confided.

Skinny hands regularly split bamboo strips and meticulously carve rows of thatch. The thatched roofs carry the heart and love of the nation’s great leader and are regularly renewed every year.

Perhaps for the thatch makers of Uncle Ho's hometown, what they desire most is not recognition, but the belief that this thatch weaving profession will be maintained forever, so that every time tourists visit Sen Village, everyone can see the old thatched roofs, simple but full of sacred emotions.

Mr. Lam Dinh Hung, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Kim Lien National Special Relic Site, said that in the past, the relic site only replaced the thatched roof once every 2-3 years. However, in the past 20 years, because the sugarcane leaves are exposed to many chemicals during the care process, the quality of the leaves is no longer guaranteed as before, so the relic site organizes restoration and replaces the thatched roof once a year before April 30.

This year, with many important events, including the 135th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday, the restoration and embellishment of the relic site was carried out earlier by the unit. Not only the staff and employees in the relic site but also the seasonal workers participating in the restoration work, replacing thatched roofs, taking care of ornamental plants... always feel honored and proud. In their work, everyone is meticulous and passionate about their dedication because it is also a sacred feeling for Uncle Ho.

“Currently, the biggest difficulty is still the lack of successors. In the thatching team, most of them are over 60 years old, some are over 70 years old. To solve this problem, the Management Board of the relic site occasionally organizes thatch weaving competitions, inviting the elderly to pass on each movement and technique to the younger generation. However, in the long term, if there are no more thatch weavers, the unit may have to use artificial plastic thatches,” said the Deputy Director of the Management Board of the Kim Lien Special National Relic Site.

Amidst the many changes of the times, the thatchers of Uncle Ho's hometown still work quietly, preserving the rustic beauty of the old roofs every day. This work is not only labor, but also passion and love for Uncle Ho. So that every time visitors set foot in Kim Lien, they not only see the familiar thatched roofs, but also feel the elaborate preservation process, with deep love and pride./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/moc-mac-nghia-tinh-tu-nhung-mai-nha-tranh-tren-que-huong-bac-ho-post1039053.vnp