The unique art of beeswax painting on linen of the Mong people

Painting patterns on linen with beeswax is a long-standing traditional craft of the Mong people, preserved and promoted through many generations and considered as the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group.

Pa Co Commune, Phu Tho Province is located at an altitude of over 1,200m above sea level. This place is famous for its cool climate all year round and beautiful, pristine natural landscape. Coming to Pa Co, in addition to experiencing the tourist scenery, visitors can also experience the unique culture of the Mong people through the patterns painted on linen fabric from beeswax.

Painting patterns on linen with beeswax is a long-standing traditional craft of the Mong people and has been preserved and promoted through many generations and is considered a cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group.

A finished beeswax-patterned linen fabric needs to go through two stages: Drawing the pattern and dyeing indigo. Tools include: a small iron pan, a brush, linen, beeswax, and indigo. The fabric is usually woven from flax fibers, and after being washed, it is flattened by spreading it on a board and smoothing it with a wild boar's tusk.

The artisan meticulously draws patterns on linen…

… skillful hands, meticulously creating every intricate pattern

There are two types of beeswax: yellow is young wax, black is old wax; after all the honey is extracted, the wax is cooked until melted and then the two types are mixed together. When starting to draw wax on fabric, beeswax must always be heated at a high temperature of 70 - 80 degrees Celsius so that the wax does not dry out. The pen for drawing is a bamboo or wooden stick 7 - 10cm long, the tip of the pen is clamped to a bamboo stick made from 3 triangular copper leaves, the thinner the pen tip, the more beautiful the pattern and the easier it is to draw.

When drawing, the painter places the cloth on a flat and smooth board, one end for the finished drawing, the other end rolls the cloth to continue drawing, drawing to that point, wrapping it there. When drawing, one must always sit by the fire, dip the brush into the hot beeswax pan placed on the hot coals, and from each person's creativity, patterns with suitable motifs appear on the cloth, expressing the wish for warmth, prosperity and happiness.

The Mong artist paints on a long piece of cloth, and wraps it around as he finishes painting.

After drawing, the fabric is dyed with indigo, the part with beeswax will retain the white color. Finally, the fabric is boiled in boiling water to melt the beeswax, revealing the prominent white patterns on the characteristic indigo fabric background. In the final step, the fabric is dried to continue with other steps to complete the product.

Visitors experience beeswax painting on linen

The patterns on the fabric all have the meaning of expressing the wishes and noble aspirations of the Mong people. The art of beeswax painting to create patterns on linen fabric shows the creativity, artistic level as well as the character, character, and behavioral culture of the Mong people in the relationship between people and people, people and nature.

The Mong people have cleverly brought the art of beeswax painting on linen into the tourism business, performing and selling products at homestays, contributing to promoting local culture.

Nowadays, the Mong people in Pa Co commune have brought the art of beeswax painting on linen into tourism activities. From performing for tourists to selling the finished products. At homestays, artisans sit and paint beeswax, performing their works, becoming a unique cultural activity that leaves a strong impression on tourists.

In addition, households have opened booths to display, introduce and sell products to tourists, combining the experience of practicing beeswax painting and indigo dyeing on the spot. Thanks to that, traditional crafts are preserved and their value is enhanced, promoting cultural values ​​and developing local tourism.

Nowadays, the Mong people in Pa Co commune have brought the art of beeswax painting on linen into tourism activities. From performing for tourists to selling the finished products. At homestays, artisans sit and paint beeswax, performing their works, becoming a unique cultural activity, creating a strong impression on tourists.

In addition, households have opened booths to display, introduce and sell products to tourists, combining the experience of practicing beeswax painting and indigo dyeing on the spot. Tourists, especially international visitors, are very excited to hold wax pens, dye the fabric themselves and bring it home as souvenirs. Not only stopping at cultural value, this activity also opens up a new direction for livelihood development, contributing to increasing income for people. Many products such as scarves, bags, dresses, beeswax paintings have become unique souvenirs.

Thanks to that, traditional crafts are preserved and their value is enhanced, both preserving the national cultural identity and promoting the effectiveness of community tourism development, helping the image of the Mong people become more widely known.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/nghe-thuat-ve-sap-ong-tren-vai-lanh-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-mong-20251111153452669.htm