The craft of weaving hammocks from parasol trees in Cu Lao Cham is a national heritage.

On February 21, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 381 announcing the traditional craft of weaving parasol hammocks in Cu Lao Cham as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The profession of weaving hammocks from parasol trees in the sea of Cu Lao Cham island (Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province) has existed and developed for over 300 years.

Listening to the folk songs of Ngo Dong in Cu Lao Cham is a national heritage, picture 1 — Foreign tourists learn about the craft of weaving parasol hammocks in Cu Lao Cham. Photo: TL

The only material used to make hammocks is the bark of the parasol tree, a type of tree that only grows on high mountains or dangerous cliffs.

To get fiber for weaving hammocks, people have to go up the mountain to cut down sycamore trees. Usually, young trees, about an arm’s length long, are cut down and bundled up and brought down to the foot of the mountain. Next, the tree trunks are soaked in Ong Tho stream, Tinh stream, Cay Dau stream…

The soaking time is half a month in summer and more than 20 days in winter. The plants are then cleaned, peeled, and beaten on rocks until they are soft. The loose bundles of parasol trees are torn into thin strips like fishing line. The thinner the strips, the tighter the hammock is woven.

Weaving a hammock made of parasol trees is quite complicated, requiring dexterity, meticulousness and perseverance. The weavers sit for hours a day. It takes about 2 months to weave a hammock.

The product of the hammock is a valuable item, often sold to tourists in Cu Lao Cham. In addition, not only has a simple material value, the hammock is also associated with the formation and development of the land of Cu Lao Cham, in which hides the thoughts and feelings of the islanders.

Listening to the folk songs of Ngo Dong in Cu Lao Cham is a national heritage, picture 2 — The parasol tree blooms bright red on Cu Lao Cham Island. Photo: TN

Through a long period of existence and development, traditional parasol hammocks have become a typical cultural product of Cu Lao Cham island, an indispensable element in the cultural life of local residents.

However, nowadays, the number of artisans weaving hammocks from the parasol tree is decreasing, and the craftsmen making handicrafts from the parasol tree are getting older, so the profession is gradually fading away.

The craft of weaving parasol hammocks in Cu Lao Cham contains valuable folk knowledge that needs to be preserved and sustainably maintained as the cultural heritage left by our ancestors.

The Vu

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