The traditional weaving craft of the Ta Oi ethnic group in A Luoi.

In the culture of the Ta Oi people in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province, the zeng (brocade) fabric is considered a measure of many values ​​in life. To create durable and beautiful zeng fabrics with delicate patterns and designs, Ta Oi women must go through many elaborate and meticulous steps.

Zèng weaving is a long-standing traditional craft of the Ta Oi ethnic group in the mountainous district of A Luoi. Join Vietnam.vn on a trip to A Luoi to experience zèng weaving alongside the Ta Oi people through the photo series "Zèng Weaving - A National Intangible Cultural Heritage" by author Le Tan Thanh, taken in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province. Products made from zèng fabric are indispensable offerings or clothing in community life or important festivals of the highlanders in A Luoi. Each zèng woven product has multifaceted value, serving both as a practical item to meet daily needs and as a work of art, showcasing the unique characteristics of the Ta Oi ethnic group's cultural heritage. For hundreds of years, the craft of zèng weaving has been preserved and passed down by the local people; they independently source materials to weave zèng fabrics in a variety of colors and unique patterns. The photo series was submitted by the author to the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

Every September, the Ta Oi people harvest cotton in their fields and spin it into yarn, then dye and starch it. The zeng fabrics primarily come in black, white, yellow, red, green, and purple. Each color is derived from natural plants and leaves, such as the bark and leaves of the ta-ram tree for black, the roots of the a-rac tree for yellow, and the red from the roots of the a-chat tree… To ensure the dyed fabric retains its colorfastness, the craftsmen need years of experience and the use of various additives such as snail shells, cassava starch, or dried glutinous rice flour…

From the dyed threads, Ta Oi women then set up their looms to weave fabric. To make traditional zèng fabrics, weavers must go through many steps, such as sorting each thread to ensure uniform size and color, suitable for its intended use. For example, for clothing, they need to select thin, fine threads. Thicker, coarser threads are used for weaving carpets or blankets. To create a complete zèng product, Ta Oi women have to work for many days, sometimes even a month.

Zèng weaving is not just a simple craft, but also a measure of many values ​​in the lives of the Ta Oi people.

The most distinctive feature of Ta Oi brocade compared to other ethnic groups in Thua Thien Hue province is the large size of the woven fabrics and the diverse and rich system of decorative patterns. The patterns on the brocade are interpreted by the weavers as images of the sun, mountains, rivers, slopes, trees, animals, or mythical creatures.

The Ta Oi people's looms are made of bamboo or separate wooden frames, quite simple and lightweight. This allows Ta Oi women to carry their looms anywhere and weave whenever they find it convenient. The Ta Oi people's zèng weaving craft fascinates many researchers because of its strange "ancient" nature and uniqueness.

In the spiritual life of the Ta Oi people, zeng fabric is indispensable in religious activities and worship, serving as an engagement gift between girls and their lovers, or as a way to show filial piety to grandparents, parents, and those who have contributed to the village. These zeng fabrics not only demonstrate the skill, diligence, and perseverance of Ta Oi women but also contribute to preserving and enhancing the long-standing cultural traditions of the Ta Oi ethnic group.

In 2024, the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, will continue to be held on the website https://happy.vietnam.vn for all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above. The contest aims to honor individuals and groups with positive informational products that make practical contributions to promoting a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world. Through this, it helps people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends access authentic images of Vietnam, its people, and its achievements in ensuring human rights, moving towards a happy Vietnam. Each competition category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values: – 1 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND – 2 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND – 3 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND – 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND – 1 Most Voted entry: 5,000,000 VND. Winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Certificate Presentation, broadcast live on Vietnam Television.

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