Bahnar female veteran diligently keeps the traditional weaving craft alive

Despite her old age, blurred vision, and not as agile hands as before, female veteran Dinh Kruinh (born in 1932, residing in Blom village, Ia Pa commune, Gia Lai province) still works hard at the weaving loom to preserve and teach the traditional brocade weaving craft.

Towards the activities to celebrate the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, Ia Pa Commune Police, Gia Lai Province organized visits, encouraged and expressed deep gratitude to generations of meritorious people in the commune.

At the wooden house of veteran Dinh Kruinh, the members of the delegation could not help but be moved, surprised and impressed by the image of the veteran, who, despite being over 90 years old, is still clear-headed, healthy and diligently working on the traditional weaving loom of the Bahnar people. Each piece of cloth she weaves is a slice of culture, a part of the memory of the whole community that is preserved and passed down.

Ms. Dinh Kruinh tells the story of Bahnar culture through looms and traditional weaving.

Ms. Dinh Kruinh participated in the youth volunteer force from 1962 to 1975 at the Po To battlefield. During the resistance war, she led the way and supplied food, weapons and ammunition to our troops in the rugged mountainous areas, often facing the dangers of the jungle and the enemy. Those difficult years instilled in her a strong will, the effort to overcome difficulties and a deep patriotism.

After the war, she returned to civilian life and continued to contribute with her own labor. With an unceasing desire to protect and preserve the beautiful traditional cultural features of her people, including the traditional weaving craft of the Bahnar people, despite her family's difficult circumstances, Ms. Dinh Kruinh always maintained an optimistic spirit, lived diligently and responsibly towards traditional culture.

At a rare age, her eyes are no longer sharp, her hands are no longer as nimble as before, but she does not choose to rest but continues to work enthusiastically, tirelessly sticking to the brocade weaving profession of the Bahnar people.

Currently, each month, Mrs. Dinh Kruinh only has time to complete 1-2 pieces of woven fabric for her family and children to wear every day or to sell on the market, but the economic value is not high. However, each weave and color of thread from the loom of this female veteran has become familiar to the villagers and commune. Whenever guests visit her house and ask about the weaving profession, she enthusiastically talks about how to combine colors, patterns, and how to weave and arrange motifs...

Many young generations were curious and came to learn and were taught the traditional weaving craft by her with great enthusiasm and meticulousness. From there, she contributed to the transmission and preservation of the beauty in the traditional culture of the Bahnar people, gradually reviving the traditional weaving craft that seemed to have fallen into oblivion.

Mrs. Kruinh confided that weaving brocade is not only for wearing or selling, but also to tell the story of her people. The patterns and colors appearing on the loom are sacred symbols, the voice of ancestors, so they cannot be lost.

“In the past, I had to go into the forest to find roots and bark to mix with dyes and make yarn, but now the materials are readily available, so it’s more convenient. As long as I have good health, my eyes can still see, and my hands can still weave, I will continue to weave. I will teach anyone who wants to learn,” said Ms. Kruinh.

Major Do Hoa Binh , Deputy Chief of Ia Pa Commune Police, said that Ms. Dinh Kruinh is a typical example of an ethnic minority woman, both brave in the resistance war and exemplary in daily life. Despite many difficult circumstances, she still rose up with the spirit of self-reliance and self-reliance, continuing to contribute to the community.

“In the locality, there are very few people who still maintain the traditional weaving profession like Mrs. Dinh Kruinh, so we truly admire and respect her working spirit, strong will and love for national culture. Mrs. Dinh Kruinh is a living cultural symbol to preserve and pass on the Bahnar culture to future generations,” Major Binh shared.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Tieu-diem-van-hoa/nu-cuu-chien-binh-bahnar-miet-mai-giu-lua-nghe-det-truyen-thong-i776360/