The century-old vitality of the blacksmithing village in Bac Lieu

October 23, 2024 | 11:29 AM

TPO - The blacksmithing craft in Ngan Dua town (Hong Dan district, Bac Lieu province) has existed for over a hundred years, a testament to the vitality of the agricultural tool manufacturing industry. Despite experiencing many ups and downs, the forges here always keep their fires burning, and the craftspeople remain determined to cling to the traditional craft of their ancestors.

Video: Traditional knife-making village in Ngan Dua (Hong Dan district, Bac Lieu province)

The Ngan Dua blacksmithing craft (Bac Lieu province) is over a hundred years old and is famous for many agricultural tools such as knives, hammers, sickles, and scythes. Many veteran blacksmiths here don't know exactly when the craft started or who its founder was.

In Ngan Dua town, Hong Dan district, there are currently more than a dozen blacksmiths' workshops, of which 5 are operating continuously. In the past, to create a knife, 3-5 people had to hammer and pound the metal very meticulously, paying attention to every step.

Most of the blacksmiths in this village are gradually shifting from manual labor to machinery. The investment in steel stamping machines has resulted in higher productivity.

The family of Mr. Quách Văn Nguyên (Ngan Dừa town, Hồng Dân district, Bạc Liêu province) has maintained the blacksmithing trade for four generations. Although supported by machinery, the blacksmithing trade remains very arduous, and above all, it requires dedication and a love for the craft to persevere.

"This craft has been passed down through many generations, like the roots of Ngan Dua, so we must cherish, preserve, and continue the tradition. Making a product requires dozens of steps, so I doubt anyone in the 63 provinces and cities nationwide does it, because it's extremely hard work," Mr. Nguyen confided.

The craft of blacksmithing is crucial in the selection of fuel and steel, and involves many steps, but without any fixed pattern or standard; it relies almost entirely on the experience passed down from previous generations.

Mr. Tran Van Tan has been involved in the blacksmithing trade for about 40 years. He used to transport hammers, charcoal furnaces, and grinding machines by boat, traveling up and down the rivers from Bac Lieu to Ca Mau, Kien Giang , and Hau Giang, among other places.

"Currently, my forge produces about 15-20 thin knives and about 10 thick knives each day. The average daily income is a few hundred thousand dong, providing my family with a stable income, enough to live on, but not to the point of being rich."

Blacksmithing involves constant exposure to hot fire, so it requires the craftsman to have physical strength, skillful hands, keen eyesight, and patience.

Mr. Truong Van Thuan, Chairman of Ngan Dua town (Hong Dan district), said that during its heyday, the knife-making craft involved about 25 households, but now only 14 remain. Ngan Dua knives prioritize "trustworthiness" above all else, so customers always come to place orders.

“In the coming time, the locality plans to encourage people to produce OCOP products and establish cooperatives to promote the Ngan Dua knife brand. The commune will also promote brands through TikTok, Zalo, and other channels, and link them to traditional craft tourism tours,” Mr. Thuan shared.

Despite facing numerous difficulties and experiencing many ups and downs in life, the blacksmithing craft in Ngan Dua village has been preserved through generations, passing the trade down to descendants so that the ancestral craft does not fade away.

Tan Loc

Source: https://tienphong.vn/suc-song-tram-nam-cua-lang-nghe-ren-o-bac-lieu-post1684753.tpo