The rhythmic loom

Women in Son Thuy commune actively participate in preserving and promoting the traditional weaving craft.

In Chung Son village, it's easy to spot women diligently weaving colorful brocade fabrics at their looms. According to the elderly women in the village, the traditional weaving craft of the Thai people in Son Thuy commune has a long history, preserved and developed by the villagers to this day. The products not only showcase the skill of Thai women but also spread the love of their ancestors' craft to the younger generation in the commune.

For Ms. Lo Thi Mui, weaving traditional clothing and everyday items by hand in Chung Son village not only satisfies her passion for the craft but is also a meaningful way to preserve the cultural identity of her ethnic group. With this in mind, over the years, Ms. Mui has actively taught the craft to many women in and outside the village, teaching them how to weave brocade fabrics. Speaking with us, Ms. Mui shared: "Since I was little, watching my grandmother and mother weave colorful brocade dresses made me very fond of the craft and I wanted to learn it. By the age of 15, I was already skillfully weaving traditional costumes for myself and some family members. Currently, due to cultural exchange, some young people are not interested in brocade weaving. Recognizing my responsibility to preserve and promote traditional values, I have actively passed on my skills to other women in the village. At the same time, I take advantage of my free time during the agricultural off-season to weave products for sale, increasing my family's income. In the future, I will invest in improving techniques, boosting production, and bringing products to the market, contributing to preserving and promoting the beauty of our ethnic group's traditional costumes."

Currently, Son Thuy commune has about 100 households engaged in brocade weaving. To preserve and promote traditional cultural values, the People's Committee of Son Thuy commune has issued a plan to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities, including brocade weaving. At the same time, it is promoting awareness among the people about the importance of preserving and promoting traditional weaving. It is also encouraging skilled artisans to pass on their skills to the younger generation in the commune. From 2024 to the present, Son Thuy commune has coordinated with relevant agencies to open two brocade weaving training classes with 60 participants. Currently, the trainees have become proficient weavers and have invested in looms to create products for sale, increasing their income and improving their lives.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Thuy commune, said: "Nowadays, Thai ethnic women often wear modern clothing that is convenient for labor and production. However, on important occasions for the Thai people such as Tet (Lunar New Year), festivals, and important local events, women still wear traditional clothing made from brocade fabric to participate. In the coming time, Son Thuy commune will continue to promote and encourage the people to actively preserve and develop the brocade weaving craft. We will create favorable conditions for households engaged in brocade weaving to access preferential capital to develop production. We will focus on establishing cooperatives to gather members for large-scale production, creating jobs for local laborers. However, to achieve this, we need the attention of relevant authorities at all levels in supporting investment in production and finding markets for the products."

Text and photos: Xuan Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhip-nhang-khung-cui-260229.htm