Khang women in Muong Muon commune at risk of losing their fishing net weaving profession

Previously, women of the Khang ethnic group in Muong Muon commune, Muong Cha district, Dien Bien province, practiced the craft of weaving fishing nets. However, this craft is now in danger of disappearing from the community's life.

Ms. Quàng Thị Pâng, from Mường Mươn commune, is skilled at weaving fishing nets and used to earn a stable income from the craft. However, nowadays, the nets she makes are difficult to sell; sometimes she only sells a few in an entire year. For her, weaving nets is now just a habit, a way to ease her longing for the craft.

Ms. Pâng shared: "In the past, we sold everything we made. People bought fishing nets and traps to fish in the rivers, streams, and our family's fish ponds. But now, so few people buy them; we just leave them sitting there, and only occasionally does someone come to buy them."

Fishing in Northwest Vietnam is no longer as profitable and has changed significantly compared to the past.

The inability to sell fishing nets has led to the gradual decline of this craft within the community, mainly practiced by older people who are no longer able to work in the fields. "Nowadays, there aren't many fish in the rivers and streams, and during the dry season, there's a shortage of water, so where would the fish come from? Without fish, people don't buy fishing nets anymore. Not to mention that fishermen now use more modern methods than traditional nets, so the products are even harder to find buyers for," said Ms. Lo Thi Duyen, a resident of Muong Muon commune.

The fishing nets produced are not being sold, putting the traditional net-weaving craft of the Khang women in Muong Muon commune, Muong Cha district, Dien Bien province at risk of disappearing.

In the past, the fishing nets produced by the Khang women were favored by consumers for their exquisite craftsmanship and durability. Their products were not only sold locally but also to distant provinces such as Son La, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai … This provided the women with additional employment and income.

Traditional crafts are fading and disappearing, affecting the income of Khang women and causing difficulties in their lives, especially for older women.

Ms. Doan Lan Huong, President of the Women's Union of Muong Cha District, said: "The Khang women in Muong Cha have traditionally been skilled in weaving, including fishing net weaving. Recently, this craft has faced difficulties due to poor product sales. Besides the reason that people rarely use fishing nets for catching fish and shrimp, another reason is that people are not yet familiar with widely promoting their products to external markets."

According to Ms. Huong, the Women's Union of the district has also actively propagated and encouraged women to change their mindset and methods, especially by applying methods to promote agricultural products and traditional handicrafts on technology platforms and social media to reach a wider consumer market. "Our goal is for traditional crafts, including the fishing net weaving craft of the Khang ethnic women, to continue to be maintained and developed sustainably, contributing to solving difficulties in life," Ms. Huong said.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/dien-bien-phu-nu-khang-o-xa-muong-muon-voi-nguy-co-that-truyen-nghe-dan-chai-luoi-20240406122832407.htm