This December, a group of Co Tu artisans residing in Thuong Long commune (Nam Dong district, Thua Thien - Hue ) completed a prototype of a dugout coffin and traditional tomb for display.
This is a project to support the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage of ethnic minorities at risk of extinction (led by the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts). The artisans selected to participate in the sculpture are the most highly skilled in the locality.
Two parts of the dugout coffin were tested together.
For about 10 days, the group of workers worked hard to saw, carve, paint, etc. to complete the tomb with a 2-roof model and very sturdy wooden joints.
The house has 6 main pillars, of which the 2 middle pillars are exceptionally high, pulling up 2 rather steep roofs. 4 rafters on both sides are where a total of 6 crossbeams are placed. At the base of the tomb house are 4 thick wooden planks, assembled onto 6 pillars.
The roof of the tomb is covered with split bamboo tubes, arranged in the shape of a gutter. The roof of the tomb will be placed upside down at the intersection of the two tomb roofs. This is an elaborate and extremely beautiful decoration with one end carved in the shape of a buffalo's head and the other in the shape of a mountain goat.
Co Tu artisans are painting decorations around the tomb.
Traditional single-log coffins are crafted by artisans from a log split in half. The upper part is the lid, the lower part is drilled to place the remains after exhumation. From the tomb to the coffin, the base… are all painted in three decorative colors: black, red, and white.
Mr. Le Nhu Suu, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Nam Dong District, said that the motifs in the tombs and on the coffins represent the visual view of the Co Tu people with the surrounding world that has been symbolized, such as constellations, ferns, ta vac leaves... and animal images such as geckos, roosters, snakes...
Small round statues used to decorate the inside of tombs
"The group of artisans are the most skilled in the district. It has been a long time since Nam Dong district has had such a beautiful and precise traditional Co Tu style tomb and coffin...", said Mr. Suu.
Thanh Nien invites readers to admire the tomb and the extremely unique dugout coffin of the Co Tu people:
The prototype of the Co Tu people's tomb is very beautifully designed.
Group of artisans enthusiastically "beautifying" the tomb
The dugout coffin will be placed in a covered tomb made of bamboo.
The recessed part in the two planks at both ends of the tomb is used to support the single-log coffin.
With only 3 colors black, red, white, the Co Tu tomb still has a very unique beauty.
A chua (roof of the tomb) is an important structure, requiring high aesthetics of the Co Tu tomb.
Before carving, the artisans will measure and draw very carefully on the wooden block.
The dugout coffin is fitted with two wooden panels cut from a single tree trunk.
Goat heads, buffalo heads and decorative patterns are carved on the coffin.
Wood is cut into pieces to make small decorative statues inside the tomb.
It takes artisans many days to complete the tomb, coffin and decorative statues.
The completed figurines will be placed on the four corners of this tray. The tray will then be placed on top of the coffin.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xem-nguoi-co-tu-deo-quan-tai-doc-moc-dieu-khac-nha-mo-185241229234943687.htm
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