Ba Na brocade is revived.

After much deliberation about what might be lost and what might be gained, the rhythmic sound of weaving looms now resounds under the stilt houses, carrying with it the aspiration to preserve the ethnic identity and bring the products of the traditional craft village to a wider market through the hard work of the Ba Na people.

At nearly 70 years old, Mrs. La O Thi Ngoc, one of the long-time weavers of brocade weaving in Xi Thoai village, still diligently sits by her loom every day, her hands nimbly moving the shuttle, weaving the distinctive traditional patterns of the Ba Na people. Mrs. Ngoc shared: "In the past, Ba Na girls of marriageable age all knew how to weave. Brocade is not just clothing, but also the voice of our souls."

However, in the hustle and bustle of life, with many convenient, easy-to-make, and readily available products, the traditional brocade weaving craft in Xi Thoai faced the risk of disappearing for a long time. "Back then, hardly anyone bought brocade. Weavers mainly used it for themselves and to preserve the traditions of their ethnic group. I was worried that someday the sound of the loom would no longer be heard," Mrs. Ngoc confided.

Ba Na women in Xi Thoai village (Xuan Lanh commune) weave brocade products.

To preserve the traditional craft, for over 40 years, since her twenties, Mrs. Ngoc has never stopped weaving. Every day, after finishing her work in the fields, she sits at her loom and weaves shawls and dresses with vibrant ethnic patterns. She fears that if she stops weaving one day, the village craft will lose a keeper of the flame. Thus, for dozens of farming seasons, Mrs. Ngoc has tirelessly kept the craft alive for the village.

According to Mrs. Bui Thi Phung (71 years old), who has dedicated her entire life to weaving, she learned the art of brocade weaving from her mother when she first began to appreciate beauty. As a young woman, she wove her own favorite dresses and blouses to wear. After getting married, she wove scarves and shirts for her husband and children, and now she, along with many other Ba Na women in Xi Thoai, continues the mission of teaching weaving to young people in the village.

To preserve and maintain the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Ba Na people, since 2020, the local government has established the Xi Thoai Brocade Weaving Group with 16 women who love the craft. Every day, after finishing their household chores, the women sit at their looms, accompanied by their children and grandchildren. And the sound of the looms echoes under the stilt houses, continuing to pass on the flame and preserve the traditional craft of the ethnic group.

In 2023, with funding from the GSRD Foundation (Netherlands), a project to improve income and create jobs for disadvantaged women in ethnic minority areas was implemented. The women in the group visited and learned from the experiences of others, participating in training on producing more common brocade products such as handbags, keychains, and bracelets in Da Nang City (formerly Quang Nam province). Following that meaningful trip, the brocade weaving craft in Xi Thoai opened up a new direction.

The women in the craft village guide each other on how to post images, videos , etc., on fan pages to promote their products on social media.

Ms. La O Thi Tim, a weaver in the craft village, shared: "Previously, we only specialized in weaving skirts, shirts, and scarves; but these products were not common, only used on festive occasions, and the high cost made it difficult to access the market. After receiving support from the local government and relevant agencies to learn production methods and product creation at the Co Tu ethnic group's brocade weaving villages (in Da Nang City), and being trained in market connection and product promotion, we broadened our knowledge and began to shift our production, focusing on learning and making small, pretty, and affordable products to use as gifts and souvenirs for tourists ."

The local authorities have established the Xi Thoai Village Community Tourism Cooperative, helping to integrate the craft village into the tourism value chain, turning it into a cultural experience destination and expanding the market. We hope that tourists will not only buy craft products but also experience the process of creating brocade products. When they see and understand the story firsthand, the product will be even more valuable.”

Mr. Tran Quoc Huy , Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Xuan Lanh Commune.

In addition, the women in the craft village also received support and guidance from local officials in creating fan pages and posting images and videos to promote their products on social media platforms. In June 2023, the women in the craft village received an order from Zannier Coral Reef Hotel Co., Ltd. for 600 brocade products of various kinds. This opened up opportunities for the brocade weaving products of Xi Thoai village to reach beyond the village.

Ms. La O Thi Tim said: "After this order, we continued to receive many orders from other businesses. The bracelets and handbags are very popular in the market. Since the products from our craft village have been well-received, the women have started to earn income from their traditional craft. Although the income is still modest, it is enough for us to live and stay committed to preserving our ethnic weaving craft."

Party Secretary and Head of Xi Thoai Village, Le Van Khuong, shared: "To prevent the traditional brocade weaving craft from fading away, the products must retain their essence, patterns, materials, and techniques; while the designs and applications must be flexible and adapt to consumer tastes. Only when those working in the craft can make a living from it can they preserve, develop, and bring traditional weaving products to a wider market."

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202508/tho-cam-ba-na-hoi-sinh-8d3041e/