Commercialization of brocade
From a young age, Katu women are familiar with looms. However, the products they make are mainly for family use during traditional festivals. In recent years, the weaving craft is in danger of disappearing as young people are no longer interested, and the sound of looms clicking is becoming less frequent in the villages.
In order to preserve and develop traditional crafts, in 2023, the Tay Giang District Women's Union implemented the "Development of Brocade Weaving" model in Dang commune. The model is based on the spirit of self-reliance and mutual support among members to innovate products, create livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable poverty reduction.
According to Ms. Bríu Thị Nem, President of the Women's Union of Tây Giang District, 31 members of the Cơ Tu ethnic group have participated in the brocade weaving cooperative model. Members voluntarily contribute funds to purchase raw materials such as looms, yarn, beads, etc. After the products are completed, the Women's Union of Tây Giang District, in coordination with the District Department of Education and Training, encourages officials, teachers, and students in the area to wear traditional clothing at the beginning of the week or on holidays. At the same time, they collaborate with tourist attractions and exhibition spaces in the district to introduce brocade products such as skirts, blanket covers, ties, wallets, etc.
“Using brocade in daily life will help products easily access the market and suit the tastes of tourists. This will contribute to promoting the Co Tu cultural identity and create additional income for members,” Ms. Nem shared.
Let's preserve it together.
To make the products attractive to customers while still preserving traditional characteristics, the Dang Commune Brocade Weaving Cooperative encourages creativity from each member. Ms. Hoi Thi Loi, the head of the cooperative, said that completing a brocade product takes a lot of time and effort.
Although industrial wool can now be used as a substitute for natural wool, the processing still requires skill and experience. Wool must go through many stages such as separating the fibers, soaking in rice water or beeswax, and drying to minimize pilling and ensure durability. Only when the fibers have hardened are they wound onto the loom.
The weaving process requires skill, meticulousness, and a keen sense of aesthetics. Each thread of wool and each bead is carefully arranged and calculated to create patterns that reflect the unique identity of the Co Tu people. A men's jacket or a women's dress can take from several weeks to several months to complete, depending on the size and complexity.
Ms. Alang Thi Lu (50 years old, Tul village, Dang commune) shared: “Joining the cooperative helps me earn extra income from the products I make. More importantly, it allows me to preserve my craft and freely express my creativity on each piece of fabric. I hope that when the products are widely used, young people will love brocade more and continue the traditional craft.”
Currently, most of the skilled brocade weavers in Tay Giang are elderly. However, the good news is that about 30% of local young people have learned the craft and wish to continue it. The Women's Union of the district and the People's Committee of Dang commune are actively seeking outlets and connecting with markets so that the Co Tu brocade products produced by local women become more widely known.
[ VIDEO ] - Ms. Bríu Thị Nem – President of the Women's Union of Tây Giang District, shares about the traditional brocade weaving of women in Dang commune:
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/sinh-ke-tu-nhung-khung-det-3155666.html
Comment (0)