(HBO) – To Duong Thi Bin, brocade weaving is not only a job but also a passion. The woman, who comes from Luc hamlet, Yen Nghiep commune, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province, always wants the brocade weaving will be preserved and developed in her hometown and her love for brocade has lit up faith of young generation in the future of the traditional craft.
The establishment of Luc Nghiep Thanh Limited Company,
a local brocade producer, has created jobs for more than 200 women in the
commune, showing the vitality of the brocade craft and those who are
enthusiastic about traditional cultures.
Since an early age, Bin has been very curious and
exciting when observing women in her village sitting in front of the looms and
weaving the brocades every day. That motivated her to learn how to weave in the
hope of making Muong colourful traditional dresses, pillows or blankets with
her own hands.
Over three decades have gone by since then, which is
also the time she has worked with brocade. She is now among the most skillful
at brocading and also the director of the company.
Duong Thi Bin works
ardently in front of the loom.
Bin used to be a member of the communal Women’s
Union. In 2008, she and other women at her hamlet
received 50 million VND from the employment support fund of the union to build
the looms. With a determination to preserve the brocade weaving which was
facing threat of oblivion, she decided to open her own brocade company two
years later, giving job opportunities for many local women.
At the beginning, her company has been given support
by the local industry promotion centre, which has provided 200 local workers with
three-month training courses on weaving. Now the company has many skillful weavers,
capable of passing their knowledge to others.
As the company’s leader, Bin joined hands with her workers to create numerous
brocade products like bags, scarves, skirts and shirts.
Bin said that her great passion for brocade beauty has required her to work to
preserve the country’s traditional craft by spreading it among the young
generation. Since the company was set up, communal women have stronger
attachment to brocade weaving.
In the first days, Bin herself found consumption markets for her brocade
products. After joining local fairs and those held in neighbouring provinces,
her products have been present in many localities across the country like Thanh
Hoa, Phu Tho, Son La and
Ho Chi Minh
City. Although there has been yet large order, her
company still maintains small ones. Old ethnic women sell brocades at rural
markets as a way to protect the culture.
Currently, the company has 168 members, however, the number of weaving looms
reaches 300 at peak.
Bin and six or seven skillful women opened brocade training courses for the
younger generation in the commune. They share weaving experience in their free
time to complete their weaving skills. Products made by the company are famous
for good quality, diversified designs and reasonable prices, thus gaining trust
from customers./.
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
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