Diligently passing on the torch
Born and raised in Tuôr village (Hòa Phú commune, Đắk Lắk province), Ms. H'Né BYă has been involved in brocade weaving since she was very young. As a child, she would often sit beside her mother and other women in the village, fascinated by the stitches on the loom. From initial curiosity, she gradually learned how to select threads, dye colors, create patterns, and before she knew it, she had mastered the craft. Ms. H'Né recalls: “In the past, almost all Ê-đê women knew how to weave brocade. The fabrics used to make dresses, scarves, or decorations in the longhouse were all made by the women in the village themselves. According to Ê-đê women's beliefs, brocade fabric is not simply a type of clothing or handicraft, but is also closely linked to the cultural identity and spiritual life of the women in the village.”
However, over time, the modern pace of life has caused the traditional brocade weaving craft to gradually decline. Young people are less interested in looms, and many families have switched to buying ready-made clothes. This has caused Ms. H'Né considerable concern about the potential disappearance of this traditional craft. In response to this situation, the Hoa Phu Commune People's Committee recently collaborated with charitable organizations to organize a brocade weaving training course for women in Tuor village. The training course attracted dozens of young women from the village, and Ms. H'Né actively participated in guiding and sharing her experience with the trainees. During the classes at the village's community center, she patiently taught them step-by-step, from how to thread the yarn onto the loom and adjust the hand pressure to how to create traditional patterns. Thanks to Ms. H'Né's dedicated guidance, many have gradually become proficient in brocade weaving. From just a few people knowing the craft, the class now attracts dozens of trainees, creating a lively atmosphere around the looms.
Preserving the culture of brocade weaving.
After nearly 10 evenings of diligently learning to weave, Ms. H'Ra Niê (from Tuôr village) was able to complete her own products. The first blanket she wove was given as a gift to family members. Although her weaving wasn't as refined as that of seasoned artisans, it was a great joy for her. Ms. H'Ra Niê shared: “I am very happy to have learned to weave brocade and to be able to make products for my family with my own hands. Now that I know how to weave, I can make more household items, and even sell products to tourists . Later, I will also teach my children so that the brocade weaving craft will always be preserved.” Besides Ms. H'Ra, several other women, after learning the craft, have started making products such as handbags, scarves, and decorative items. These products can be sold to tourists, contributing to increased family income.
Aiming to both preserve traditional crafts and create livelihood opportunities for local women during their leisure time, the brocade weaving class in Tuôr village has initially met its objectives and plans. Mr. Tran Van The, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Hoa Phu commune, said: “To maintain and develop the craft, the commune has established a Brocade Club to provide a place for students to socialize and exchange experiences. At the same time, the commune is also aiming to promote brocade products through local tourism activities, contributing to attracting tourists. In the future, the commune will continue to connect with tourism units to expand channels for promoting and selling products; thereby creating conditions for people to earn more income from weaving and promoting the value of the traditional craft of the village.”
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thap-lua-nghe-det-tho-cam-o-buon-lang-post860297.html
