Located approximately 40km northeast of Hanoi city center, Xuan Lai bamboo and rattan craft village is situated in Xuan Lai hamlet, Xuan Lai commune, Gia Binh district, Bac Ninh province. The craft of handcrafted bamboo and rattan has existed in the village for a very long time; no one remembers exactly when, but according to the elders, it has been practiced in Xuan Lai for hundreds of years.
Through the photo series "The Beauty of Xuan Lai Bamboo Craft Village" by author Phan Huy Thiep, viewers will see how the people of Xuan Lai carefully nurture the bamboo from its humble beginnings to its growth, and then meticulously process it before it reaches the skilled hands of Xuan Lai artisans to create unique and useful handcrafted products. The photo series was submitted to the Happy Vietnam Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .
The craft of bamboo and rattan work in Xuan Lai commune (Gia Binh district, Bac Ninh province) has existed for an unknown period of time. All that is known is that for generations, the image of towering bamboo trees surrounding the village and the rhythmic, rhythmic sounds of chiseling have been deeply ingrained in the memories of the people of Xuan Lai.
Bamboo purchased from various provinces is soaked in a pond for about six months to prevent insect infestation and increase its flexibility. After being removed from the water, the outer layer is scraped off (a process called "scraping the bamboo"), and then it is heated over a fire to straighten it. Once the bamboo meets the requirements, it is smoked in a kiln for 8-12 days to achieve the desired color. The smoke is created using straw mixed with mud. This smoking process dries the bamboo, making it very light, durable, and retaining its color for many years.
What sets Xuan La bamboo products apart from those of other localities is that they come in a wide range of shades, from glossy black to reddish-brown, light brown, and yellow, created using entirely natural techniques without any paint or coloring.
After smoking, the craftsman has to perform many more steps to produce the finished product. In Xuan Lai, each craftsman is responsible for one step. Men handle the more difficult technical parts such as carving and assembling the frame, while women do the lighter tasks: arranging the bamboo strips, tying knots, etc.
Inheriting the rich cultural traditions of this land of outstanding people, the people of Xuan Lai are always proud of their traditional bamboo crafts passed down from their ancestors. Currently, Xuan Lai commune has about 250 households engaged in bamboo crafts, of which 45 specialize in producing high-end handicraft products. This traditional craft has contributed to the economic development and prosperity of Xuan Lai.
In 2014, Xuan Lai was recognized as a traditional craft village by the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province. In 2016, Xuan Lai bamboo products were included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Vietnam.vn
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