Displaying brocade weaving of the Ma ethnic group at the Southern Women's Museum

On the morning of November 18, the Southern Women's Museum opened a special exhibition on "Traditional brocade weaving of Ma ethnic women in Ta Lai commune, Dong Nai province".

Besides the exhibits and images, visitors can also experience watching brocade weaving artisans.

Visitors to the thematic exhibition.

This is a meaningful activity towards the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005 - November 23, 2025).

The Ma ethnic group belongs to the Vietnamese ethnic community, residing mainly in Dong Nai and Lam Dong. In Ta Lai commune (Dong Nai province), the Ma people have formed a unique cultural space, in which brocade weaving plays an important role as an intangible cultural heritage, deeply reflecting the worldview , beliefs and harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

The Ma ethnic brocade weaving craft is a system of indigenous knowledge passed down through many generations of women. From the age of 8-9, girls begin to learn the craft from their grandmothers and mothers, absorbing not only weaving techniques but also the qualities, perseverance and role of women in the community. Each brocade piece is considered a “cultural text”, containing a story about the universe, outlook on life and the rich spiritual life of the people.

Besides the exhibits and images, visitors can also experience watching brocade weaving artisans.

Ma brocade patterns are very diverse: winding rivers, god's eyes, animals, plants, stilt houses, human figures, and zigzag lines symbolizing stability, protection and the cycle of life. The weaving process is completely manual, from spinning, dyeing the threads with natural materials (turmeric, Indian laurel bark...) to finishing the product on a traditional loom.

The exhibition introduces many valuable artifacts and documents such as wedding costumes, coverings, weaving looms, and products used in modern life such as handbags, scarves, and jewelry. The presence of creative products shows the enduring vitality of Ta Lai weaving, both preserving traditional techniques and opening up new avenues for community livelihoods in the context of integration.

Visitors to the thematic exhibition.

Not only an exhibition, the program also honors the Ma women who are persistently preserving their traditional profession; contributing to spreading the cultural values ​​of the Ma ethnic group to the public, especially the young generation. This is a journey to explore the memories, identity and creativity of the community, while affirming the responsibility to preserve cultural heritage in contemporary life.

LIBRA

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/trung-bay-nghe-det-tho-cam-cua-dan-toc-ma-tai-bao-tang-phu-nu-nam-bo-post824063.html