That sound is not just the rhythm of labor, but also the "heartbeat" of a craft village that has weathered centuries of ups and downs. For the diligent people of Long Khánh, that "clacking" sound is the very soul of the land, the heartfelt confession of artisans who are steadfast in their commitment to preserving and developing the heritage of scarf weaving through the ages.
THE UPS AND DOWNS
Following the gentle Tien River, the Long Khanh shawl weaving village was established in the early years of the 20th century. My grandmother often recounted stories about the village's difficult times: "In the old days, people in the village wove shawls by hand, and it was very hard work to create them."
|
Domestic and international tourists come to visit and experience the process of weaving scarves in Long Khánh commune. |
Women followed their husbands to the craft villages, silently weaving simple yet durable scarves at their looms. At that time, the image of women diligently and patiently working at their handlooms became a symbol of the hard work and resilience of the people of the island region.
During the heyday of the craft village, especially in the 1980s, Long Khánh scarves sold like hotcakes. Every rice harvest season, traders from all over flocked to buy them to supply farmers during the harvest. The black and white, or brown and white, scarf was not only a tool for sun protection and wiping sweat, but also an indispensable part of the working lives of the people in the Mekong Delta.
However, the craft of weaving scarves in Long Khánh once faced the risk of extinction. Around 1992, the market became sluggish, and scarves were no longer the essential and popular items they once were. Meanwhile, the price of raw materials for weaving scarves increased sharply, sometimes resulting in losses for the products. Only a few dozen looms remained in operation. Those were the years when the villagers overcame the challenges through perseverance and love for their craft.
To preserve and conserve the national intangible cultural heritage, Vice Chairman of Long Khanh Commune People's Committee Do Duy Phuong affirmed: "The locality is making efforts to improve the landscape and create experiential products associated with each household, from dyeing fabric, looms, hand-weaving scarves, spinning yarn, and sewing products by hand... to enhance the quality of community-based experiential tourism and introduce tourists to the value of the century-old scarf weaving village." |
With deep love for their craft and unwavering faith, the artisans of Long Khánh clung to their trade and were rewarded accordingly. Around 1994, the shawl weaving village made a strong comeback, like a "breath of fresh air." The shawls were once again loaded onto boats and transported everywhere; on some days, the weavers had to work non-stop until dusk.
Through ups and downs and perseverance, the craft village now has nearly 60 households engaged in the craft with 150 looms, creating jobs for many workers. In particular, the establishment of the Long Khánh Shawl Weaving Cooperative in 2015 marked a significant leap forward. Thanks to the use of machine looms, production has increased 4-5 times compared to hand weaving; on average, they produce about 2 million scarves and shawl-related products annually.
Long Khánh scarves are no longer just everyday household items. In the modern era, they have been given a "new look," more vibrant and colorful. Artisan Tran Van Nat (67 years old), who has been weaving scarves since he was 13, thoughtfully shared: "The Long Khánh scarf weaving village is not simply a craft, but also a story of centuries, of deep affection and gratitude. My family still preserves the old looms for tourists to visit and experience. I want tourists to come to the village to learn about the ups and downs and development of the scarf weaving craft, and to feel the love that the people have for the craft until today."
In 2023, joy came to the villagers when the traditional craft of Long Khánh commune was officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The excitement was further amplified when, in 2024, the local government launched the Long Khánh shawl weaving village experiential tourism product.
Now, visitors to Long Khanh commune are not just buyers of products made from scarves, but also experiencers and participants in "continuing the story" of the craft village. Visitors can tour the recreated production process, admire and shop at the exhibition house; enjoy local food at the market; and, most importantly, watch demonstrations of the scarf weaving process, even getting hands-on experience with the artisans.
PRESERVING THE "ESSENCE" OF HERITAGE
Through continuous innovation, the villagers harmoniously combine traditional and modern elements. Today, Long Khánh scarves are embroidered and woven with characteristic images of Đồng Tháp province, such as: pure lotus flowers, elegant red-crowned cranes, or peaceful rural landscapes. From the scarf material, unique fashion products and souvenirs are created, such as: traditional Vietnamese blouses (áo bà ba), handbags, backpacks, hats, ties, and graceful ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress).
This diversity makes the products of the craft villages highly sought after, selling strongly not only in the Mekong Delta, but also spreading to provinces and cities nationwide and reaching foreign markets.
The scarf is not just a product, but has become a symbol of the Mekong Delta. The journey of preserving and promoting cultural values is being continued by the dedicated people of Long Khánh island. Ms. Lê Thị Nầy, originally from Thanh Bình commune, married into a family in Long Khánh commune and wholeheartedly followed her husband in the craft of weaving scarves.
|
Artisan Le Thi Nay (Long Khanh commune) has created many products from scarf material. |
With four weaving machines, her family not only produces scarves but also develops community tourism, readily opening their doors to visitors to observe and experience the scarf weaving process. She continuously innovates, creating diverse accessories such as handbags, backpacks, ties, and wallets from the scarves of her hometown, to promote Southern Vietnamese scarves to a wider audience.
The story of Ms. Le Thi Hue (Long Khanh commune) began when she graduated from a university with a degree in English Pedagogy, then switched to working as a wedding photographer. Later, Ms. Hue unexpectedly found her calling in tailoring, but in a unique way: sewing scarves. Thanks to her mother and older sister, who worked as tailors in the family, Ms. Hue taught herself and learned to sew through trial and error.
“Previously, my main job was wedding photography. Later, seeing so many people weaving scarves, I thought I needed to create new product lines to help maintain and enhance the value of the scarves from this century-old craft village,” Ms. Hue happily shared. Ms. Hue's products are completely unique, including backpacks, baseball caps, bucket hats, wide-brimmed hats, round bags, phone wallets, and ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress)... All are made from scarf material, embodying traditional style but also incredibly modern and practical.
Today, the scarf has transcended its practical use, becoming a unique and unmistakable gift from the Dong Thap region. The passion, love for the craft, and respect for the traditional values meticulously cultivated by our ancestors will be an indispensable source of inspiration for the Long Khanh traditional scarf weaving craft, ensuring its continued transmission through generations.
DUONG UT
Source: https://baodongthap.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202511/tram-nam-khan-choang-que-ngoai-1051701/
Comment (0)