The beauty of the Khmer people's crown and mask making craft

Young artisan in Vinh Long makes dragon masks. Photo: DUY KHOI

The craft of making Khmer crowns and masks is a traditional craft that was formed more than 2 centuries ago, to serve the cultural and folk art activities of the Khmer people. The most popular use of crowns and masks is in folk dances, traditional dances, religious dances, operas, etc. Crowns and masks products carry deep folk cultural values and represent sacred elements in the spiritual life of the Khmer ethnic community. According to folk knowledge about this traditional craft, the shape, color and pattern of each product have their own identifying mark for each character and each dance. Thereby, conveying profound meanings, expressing people's belief in good overcoming evil, justice overcoming cruelty, transformation, kindness and praying for good things in life.

The process of making crowns and masks is done entirely by hand, requiring the artisan to have knowledge, understanding of art, creativity, meticulousness, and dexterity to create durable, beautiful products with strong artistic creativity. Depending on the type of crowns and masks, whether simple or complex, the time to make the product is also different, sometimes a few days, sometimes a month. Currently, the craft of making crowns and masks is still maintained, preserved, serving the traditional folk art forms of the Khmer people such as Chhay-dam drum dance, Robam dance drama, Du-ke stage...

Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien, Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee, said: The whole Vinh Long province currently has 19 national intangible cultural heritages. Of which, "The craft of making crowns and masks of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh " is one of the 6 intangible cultural heritages formed in the life of the Khmer people. In recent times, the types of cultural tourism and community tourism have been invested and developed, contributing to making the traditional crown and mask making profession a unique cultural and tourism product, imbued with the cultural identity of the Khmer people in the South. In particular, the locality acknowledged the tireless and dedicated contributions of the artisans making crowns and masks in the wards and communes of Tra Vinh, Hoa Thuan, Song Loc, Chau Thanh, Tra Cu... "It is the dedication and love for the profession of generations of artisans that has helped the crown and mask making profession to be able to recover on a traditional basis and to survive long-term in the context of modern life," Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien emphasized.

To further preserve and promote the heritage, the leaders of Vinh Long province requested relevant agencies and localities to focus resources and promote socialization in organizing related production and performing activities. At the same time, regularly organize diverse practical activities and teach the Khmer people's craft of making crowns and masks.

According to statistics, the whole Vinh Long province currently has 214 relics (2 special national relics, 45 national relics and 167 provincial relics); 19 national intangible cultural heritages and 3 national treasures. In recent times, Vinh Long Museum has researched, collected and preserved over 48,297 artifacts and documents related to the formation and development process of the province through many historical periods; along with many valuable collections of artifacts.

DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/net-dep-nghe-lam-mao-mat-na-cua-nguoi-khmer-a193416.html