Mong ethnic women with traditional linen weaving

In the heart of the majestic Stone Plateau lies a story of indigenous culture and the strong rise of Mong ethnic women. From traditional linen, they have been persistently weaving equality, raising their status in the community.

Flax fibers “weave” dreams of self-reliance

Since ancient times, linen weaving has been an important part of the Mong people's life, but today linen weaving has gone beyond its traditional meaning. Because it is not only a way to preserve the unique cultural identity but also becomes the key to opening the door to gender equality for Mong women. When the raw linen fabrics are transformed by their skillful hands into sophisticated products such as handbags, wallets, scarves, or home decorations, they not only captivate tourists from all over the world but also bring a stable source of income. From there, they help them to be economically independent and affirm their own value, having a greater voice in their family and society.

Mong ethnic women weave traditional linen.

Right in front of the entrance to the Vuong family's mansion in Sa Phin commune, the product showroom of the Sa Phin A Agricultural and Forestry Service Cooperative (also known as the White Flax Cooperative) founded by Ms. Vang Thi Cau is always bustling with visitors and shoppers. Ms. Cau is a living testament to extraordinary willpower. Although born in 1973, she did not officially enter first grade until 1990 and did not graduate from university until she was 40 years old. After returning to her hometown to work and participate in women's work in the old Dong Van district, she came into contact with many women in difficult circumstances; as a local, she deeply understands the difficulties and disadvantages of Mong women.

She still remembers the memory of Ms. Hau Thi Va in Pho Bang commune who was often beaten by her husband, even once had her leg broken. Ms. Cau gave Ms. Va 500 thousand VND to buy fertilizer and flax seeds to plant. A few months later, Ms. Va asked Ms. Cau to sell flax fibers. It was from that story that the idea of establishing the White Flax Cooperative was born in her mind, with the desire to preserve the Mong cultural identity and help women like Ms. Va have more jobs. Thanks to her educational background, she has the organizational and management mindset to establish a cooperative, with a vision for economic development for women.

With a loan from Program 135, she and the first 10 members started their business. On November 23, 2017, the White Linen Cooperative was officially established. Up to now, the cooperative has created stable jobs for 95 members in Sa Phin commune and many other communes in the surrounding area, producing more than 70 lines of handmade brocade products imbued with Mong identity. The average income of members is from 3 to 4.5 million VND/month, a dream number for many families in the highlands.

“The Linen Lady” and the Miraculous Transformation

Not only in Sa Phin, flax is also quietly weaving similar life-changing stories in Lung Tam commune, where there is the "linen lady" Vang Thi Mai. Ms. Mai was born in 1962, has been the President of the Women's Association of Hop Tien village for nearly 20 years, from a Mong woman weaving flax in the kitchen corner, now Ms. Mai has become the Director of Lung Tam Linen Cooperative, a famous artisan at home and abroad, honored as the "brocade queen".

Ms. Vang Thi Mai introduces products of Lung Tam Linen Cooperative.

In 2001, with the support of the local government, Ms. Mai established the Lung Tam Linen Cooperative with 10 members and an initial capital of 13 million VND. In the early days, she encountered countless difficulties. Ms. Mai recalled with a sad look: “When the cooperative was first established, the women were opposed by their husbands and were not allowed to go to work. Some women were working when their husbands got drunk and slapped them in the face and dragged them in front of me. Some women were even beaten until their husbands bled. I had to work with the Commune People's Committee and ask the Commune Police to protect the women. When any man was drunk and beat a woman, the Commune Police would take him to the headquarters and punish him by carrying stones and cleaning public toilets.”

Mrs. Mai wondered: “I see that Mong women have a hard life, and I need to find a way to help them get out of that hardship and misery. Men come home drunk and don’t cook rice or feed for pigs, forcing their wives to do everything. Sometimes, drunken husbands throw bundles of flax on the street, saying that their wives only brought them home to serve the family, and are not allowed to do outside work.”

To change the deeply ingrained perception of Mong men, when the cooperative distributed money for products, Ms. Mai had to personally go and talk to each husband, invite them to participate in receiving money and skillfully suggest that they use that money to repair pig pens and chicken coops. Gradually, with perseverance and skillfulness, Ms. Mai "transformed" many husbands of cooperative members. They began to be "startled" when they saw that their wives not only knew how to take care of the house but also earned money to raise their children, and build houses that were no less than theirs, or even better.

Ms. Mai not only changed the fate of flax but also changed the fate of Mong women. She attracted poor, unemployed women, orphans, and skilled elderly people to teach her the craft. For each product sold, she used a portion to pay the artisans who taught the young. Up to now, the flax products of the cooperative have been exported nationwide and to 20 international customers, mainly in the European market. The average annual revenue is about 1.5 billion VND with 140 members and 9 production groups. The members have an average income of 4 - 6 million VND/month.

Comrade Mai Xuan Minh, Vice Chairman of Lung Tam Commune People's Committee affirmed: "Lung Tam Linen Cooperative has contributed significantly to solving employment, increasing income for people, always being a solid support for Mong women in the locality. Thereby, gender equality is also promoted, domestic violence is reduced, women have a greater role and position in the family and society".

It is the traditional linen weaving craft of the Mong people that has helped women in the Rocky Plateau affirm their self-worth, break down invisible barriers and weave a brighter, more equal future for themselves and for future generations.

Article and photos: Le Hai

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202507/phu-nu-dan-toc-mong-voi-nghe-det-lanh-truyen-thong-8eb6ee9/